# Melicious > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Melicious > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Melicious.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melicious > Source revision: 1294017410 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) ***Melicious*** is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter [Melissa Lefton](/source/Melissa_Lefton). It was intended for release on August 21, 2001, by [Jive Records](/source/Jive_Records), however, it was delayed indefinitely. The album was produced by [The Matrix](/source/The_Matrix_(production_team)) and explores a variety of eccentric topics through a satirical lens. *Melicious* received generally favorable reviews from critics, with many praising the radio-friendly nature of the album and the unorthodox themes explored throughout it. Prior to the album's shelving, a [mockumentary](/source/Mockumentary) titled *Behind the Muse* was produced in order to promote *Melicious*. Two songs from the album were commercially released; "My Hit Song" and "I Love Life" were included on the soundtracks to the films *[On the Line](/source/On_the_Line_(2001_film))* and *[The Princess Diaries](/source/The_Princess_Diaries_soundtracks)*, respectively. ## Background The album was originally stated to be due for release on August 21, 2001 on [Jive Records](/source/Jive_Records).[1] It was later said to be due for release in Spring 2002,[2] but was eventually suspended indefinitely. The album was produced by [The Matrix](/source/The_Matrix_(music_producer)).[1] The only copies of the album that exist are full length promotional copies, none of which include the publicized album cover. There are two variations: one is an acetate promo which has a stick-on label and comes in an orange jewel case. The other comes in a cardboard sleeve and features Lefton in a T-shirt with a [jolly roger](/source/Jolly_roger) on it. A three song sampler also exists which plays the songs "My Hit Song," "Ozone" and "Sugar Daddy". Melicious took on topics like pollution,[3] [sugar daddies](/source/Age_disparity_in_sexual_relationships#Slang_terms), occultism and murder, with tongue in cheek lyrics.[4] Two songs on this album were commercially released on other albums. "I Love Life" appeared on the soundtrack to *[The Princess Diaries](/source/The_Princess_Diaries_(film))*. Commenting on the soundtrack Heather Phares from *AllMusic* spoke favourably of the track.[5] "My Hit Song" appeared on the soundtrack to *[On the Line](/source/On_the_Line_(2001_film))* and also appeared on the compilation album *Cool Traxx! 3*. Heather Phares said the track was "sending up and relishing teen pop's plastic sound and mindless appeal".[6] The track "Radio Rainbow" appears in the film *[Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge](/source/Halloweentown_II:_Kalabar's_Revenge)*, though the film did not release an accompanying soundtrack. ## Promotion A promotional short film was created to promote the album. Called *Behind the Muse*, it was a [mockumentary](/source/Mockumentary) spoofing the *[Behind the Music](/source/Behind_the_Music)* program and format. In it, Lefton is depicted as an already-famous musician who rose to fame as a pop star only to succumb to an IV addiction to [SunnyD](/source/SunnyD). After a nearly fatal car crash she records a critically panned album titled "Ouch!", and then revitalizes her career as a Las Vegas lounge singer. The humor in the film is decidedly not for young people; for example, regarding her addiction, Lefton states: "I was making love to sweaty bums just to score a hit of SunnyD, and it didn't feel good on my vagina."[1] The film was promotionally distributed on [VHS](/source/VHS) and Mini[DV](/source/DV_(video_format)) tapes. ## Critical reception The month before it was due for release, the *[Seattle Weekly](/source/Seattle_Weekly)* gave a favourable review of the album,[3] as did the Autumn 2001 edition of *[Elle Girl](/source/Elle_Girl)*.[7] MacKenzie Wilson from *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)* also spoke highly of the album, saying it "matches the pop sassiness of the [Go-Go's](/source/The_Go-Go's) and [Cyndi Lauper](/source/Cyndi_Lauper)".[8] Jimmy Draper from *AllMusic* gave the album four stars out of five, concluding "This isn't your typical Top 40 fodder because, thankfully, there isn't anything typical about Lefton's surprisingly enjoyable and energetic debut."[4] Five years after it was cancelled, [Stylus Magazine](/source/Stylus_Magazine) gave the album a positive review and referred to Lefton as the "queen of shelved teenpop".[9] ## References 1. *Behind the Muse*. Directed by Scott Lochmus, Produced by Jen Dana. A production of the "Jack My Dog Corporation". Released by *[Jive Records](/source/Jive_Records)* on June 11, 2001 and distributed on mini[DV](/source/DV_(video_format)) tape. 1. ["Celebrity bathroom"](https://books.google.com/books?id=YSUEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22melissa+lefton%22&pg=PA72). *[Elle Girl](/source/Elle_Girl)*. Spring 2002. [ISSN 1535-7465](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1535-7465). Retrieved May 18, 2014. 1. Reighley, Kurt B. (July 5, 2001). ["Two Ears and a Tale: Melissa Lefton"](https://web.archive.org/web/20050319153103/http://www.seattleweekly.com/features/0127/two-reighley.shtml). *[Seattle Weekly](/source/Seattle_Weekly)*. p. 47. Archived from [the original](http://www.seattleweekly.com:80/features/0127/two-reighley.shtml) on March 19, 2005. Retrieved October 12, 2020. 1. Jimmy Draper. ["Melissa Lefton - Melissa Lefton"](http://www.allmusic.com/album/melissa-lefton-mw0001191830). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180616154318/https://www.allmusic.com/album/melissa-lefton-mw0001191830) June 16, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. 1. Heather Phares. ["Original Soundtrack: The Princes Diaries"](http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-princess-diaries-mw0000011309). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170903181223/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-princess-diaries-mw0000011309) September 3, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. 1. Heather Phares. ["Original Soundtrack: On the Line"](http://www.allmusic.com/album/on-the-line-mw0000014020). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181006075056/https://www.allmusic.com/album/on-the-line-mw0000014020) October 6, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. 1. ["Platter party"](https://books.google.com/books?id=SyUEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22ellegirl%22+%22melissa+lefton%22&pg=PA90). *[Elle Girl](/source/Elle_Girl)*. Autumn 2001. [ISSN 1535-7465](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1535-7465). Retrieved May 18, 2014. 1. MacKenzie Wilson. ["Melissa Lefton"](http://www.allmusic.com/artist/melissa-lefton-mn0000870386). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181217085840/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/melissa-lefton-mn0000870386/biography) December 17, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. 1. Moore, David (November 8, 2006). ["Sugar Shock #006: Screwed: The Lost World of Shelved Teenpop"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171116235540/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/pop_playground/sugar-shock-006-screwed-the-lost-world-of-shelved-teenpop.htm). *[Stylus Magazine](/source/Stylus_Magazine)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/pop_playground/sugar-shock-006-screwed-the-lost-world-of-shelved-teenpop.htm) on November 16, 2017. ## External links - [Official Melissa Lefton Myspace page](https://myspace.com/meliciouslefton/music/songs) with 2 songs from the album - [Behind the Muse](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yUjFPgsxD0) full mockumentary including interviews --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Melicious](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melicious) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melicious?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.