Jennifer Paige
Jennifer Paige is a young Atlanta singer whose first single, "Crush," became a top 10 hit even before the release of her debut album. Less overblown in her delivery than either Celine Dion or Alanis Morissette, Paige saves the histrionics for her lyrics (sometimes self-penned, other times the work of various music-biz pros). Many of these songs speak to the ongoing currency of concepts like obsession and passion in even the most mainstream of pop culture; Paige nearly worries herself into the ground over being trapped in love, going so far as to equate being clean and "Sober" with getting out of a bad relationship. The radio-ready results are sure to appeal to fans of both Dion and those of the more "cerebral" Paula Cole--neither of whom is as likable as Paige is.--Rickey Wright