Reviewer: Paul Kerr at Americana UK...review on the web Quirky, powerful album from New York based “anti folk” activist. Sixth album from Lindsay is an assured return to the musical fray after a year out as a student. Playing most of the instruments (bar drums and bass and occasional keyboards) she has achieved a mature and musically accomplished set with a full sound that is radio friendly at times despite the DIY ethic behind the recording. While she hits out at targets such as the debacle surrounding the flooding of New Orleans much of the lyrical content seems to be more personal but with no self-pitying “ look at me” miserablism. In fact the album as a whole is upbeat with excellent harmonies and memorable tunes. “Brain, ” a break up song thrashes along with driving guitars to the fore. Better still is the next song, “Belong/Alone “ with opaque lyrics (adapted from poet Christian Wiman) and engaging harmony vocals. On occasion (“In Brooklyn” and closing epic “Kitchen sink”) the lyrical approach is similar to that of Loudon Wainwright’s, at times the vocal arrangements are reminiscent of the Roches, but Lindsay can also take a simple guitar/voice arrangement as on “I Knew You” add some great lyrics, “You are such a tough guy now, The doors are closed to me, Years locked in a lockbox, And you swallowed the key” and captivate the listener. Some of the arrangements on this album are sublime, “Postolka” (another arrangement of a poem by Wiman) has layered vocals suggestive of David Crosby’s solo work. Vocally strong, at times vulnerable, at others, strident, Lindsay has achieved an excellent piece of work which deserves to be heard. |