The gospel infused opener May Your Kindness Remain with tremulous-doom guitar work signals a continuance of the excellence of Andrews’ vocal as well as a more fulsome production on songs with this release. Second Lift the Lonely from My Heart moves to a Country al la Ronstadt sound, the tonal resonance of Andrews’ singing penetrating with such force and clarity, the organ layer a constant background sound.
Third Two Cold Nights
in Buffalo sustains the elements – organ such a presence too – but what
strikes is that vocal sharpness, an ability to pierce poignantly without any
hint of the shrill, this a more upbeat countryrock tempo. You find the beauty in simple things she sings in Rough Around the
Edges and a piano plonks a bluesy bar-room beat as other lyrics suggest a daily
ennui but hope in the enduring, the beauty of voice probably the most obvious
indication of breaking out from the drudge. Border
funks out some shifting pace, guitar wail holding the atmosphere, great pumped
organ solo.
Took You Up
references karaoke and television dinners and making love on a laundry cart and the
enduring point/power of love – ain’t got
much but we got each other – so a continuing theme, Andrews soaring among
it all. A guitar haunts once more. I’ve
Hurt Worse might as title sum up the philosophy of the whole.
An album of songs lyrically seeped in the pragmatic
acceptance of the everyday, ironically transcending this in the beauty of
Courtney Marie Andrews’ singing. A joy to listen to.
My review of Honest Life here.
My review of Honest Life here.
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