Personnel includes: Merril Bainbridge (vocals).

Recorded at 001 Studios, Carlton, Australia.

Australian pop chanteuse Bainbridge emerges on her debut album as the anti-Alanis. In an era populated by endless clones of the Angry Young Woman from Canada, Bainbridge presents an alternative to the bludgeoning, bile-spewing sound that has come to represent modern pop-rock. The songs on THE GARDEN are characterized by lush, almost baroque arrangements that rely on acoustic guitar, atmospheric keyboards and strings. Bainbridge embraces a spiritually-oriented, neo-hippie lyrical esthetic that delves into the roots of human behavior.

A '60s influence on Bainbridge's music is made plain on "Sleeping Dogs," which incorporates the complete middle section of the Bee Gees' "I Started A Joke." Beatles touches pop up in several places, such as the string section and chord progression of "Julie." "Mouth," which established Bainbridge's stateside reputation, is one of the catchiest offerings here, with a simple, effective lyric about the connection between emotion and physicality and an infectious, upbeat rhythm. With 13 tracks of gentle melodicism, THE GARDEN provides a respite from post-grunge disaffection.

Album Review:
Q Magazine (2/97, p.95) - 4 Stars (out of 5) - "...The lyric [of `Mouth'] toys with notions of eroticism and celebrity beyond the grasp of most pop wordsmiths. Coupled to the quirkily imaginative musical settings of her Malaysian partner/producer Siew, it's a powerful brew and one that is sustained throughout the album..."