Andrea McEwan - Rental Property (Dramatico) If it’s CDs by KT Tunstall, Kate Nash, Amy MacDonald or Beth Rowley that you automatically reach for each morning, then Andrea McEwan’s new album should be on your shopping list. The Australian born singer-songwriter is the latest signing to Mike Batt’s Dramatico label, home to the mega-successful Katie Melua. With the help of writing partner Sarah Godden, McEwan has shaped an album which will probably appeal to the same core audience who became so mesmerised with Chinese bicycle numbers. Although she’s less keen on commie pedal-power, she is wholly fascinated with men behaving badly, taking her for granted and messing around behind her back. She does it with a voice which has more in common with 10000 Maniacs’ Natalie Merchant or Eddi Reader, than any of the fore mentioned singers, and it adds a wholesome touch of class to proceedings. Some of the songs are a little awkward, and for every “Alibi” - a great pop song - there’s a less than appealing “Rental Property”, but overall she gets away with it, and it’s probably only a matter of time before she’s everywhere. Rob F. Next