OH! From the Girls

The Oxygen Network's Oh! From the Girls is a pleasant-enough collection of pop, rock, folk, and urban songs from women artists, including Dido, the Be Good Tanyas, and Stacie Orrico. Nearly all of the songs on the collection fall into a mellow, easygoing vibe, particularly Sixpence None the Richer's cover of "Don't Dream It's Over," Kathleen Edwards' "Six o' Clock News," and Macy Gray's live version of "Come Together" from Oxygen's Custom Concert series. This laid-back feel isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it is predictable; even some of the collection's edgier artists, such as the Pretenders, Aimee Mann, and Tori Amos, offer subdued tracks like "I'll Stand by You," "Calling It Quits," and a live version of "Cornflake Girl," respectively. A little more variety on compilations like this would go a long way; no one expects Diamanda Galás or even Cat Power to turn up on one of these albums, but some livelier or funkier tracks would make Oh! From the Girls a more engaging listen. Still, this is a fairly decent collection of post-Lillith Fair musings, and the fact that part of the album's proceeds support The Oxygen Network's national partners for "Build Your Own Business" — a public service program that helps women establish their own businesses — makes it difficult to pick on Oh! From the Girls too much.