Dobson dabbles in mediocrity

If you’re not a Fefe Dobson fan, that’s probably not changing anytime soon.

It’s been seven years since Dobson’s self-titled debut disc, and it’s no wonder the Canadian singer had trouble finding a record label to support this latest effort.

“Joy” isn’t a terrible album by any means, it’s just not great. Generic production and writing make this album suitable for an aging Disney star, not an artist who thinks she’s a punk femme fatale.

Tracks such as ‘Ghost’ and ‘Stuttering’ are somewhat catchy, but popular writers and producers are to thank for the top 40 possibilities.

Dobson does co-write all of the songs here, so she deserves the credit. Unfortunately, cliché sentiments float on by, leaving a listener unaffected.

The real shame is that Dobson never finds a clear persona. One minute she’s Avril Lavigne the next she’s Taylor Swift.

In the end, none of us know Fefe.