Carrie Rodriguez - '50s French Movie (Seven Angels on a Bicycle [2006])
allmusic, band homepage, myspace
This is a pretty good album and this is a good song. It won't be in my top 20 at the end of the year, but it stands out enough to make my top picks of the month. If you like the Austin, Texas sound and you like Sheryl Crow then you'll love this album.
Tracey Thorn - It's All True (Out of the Woods [2007])
allmusic, band homepage, myspace
I greatly anticipated Tracey Thorn's solo album last year and was a bit disappointed when it came out. I really didn't pay it much attention after giving it a listen. But recently listening to Ben Watt's weekly radio program I heard a track off of her album and thought about giving it another shot. The bad part of the album is it's lack of cohesion and Ben Watt's sensibility when arranging and producing for Tracey's voice and lyrics. What is there is Tracey's singing and wonderful lyrics. I really like this song because of what it is about. She writes a lot of songs that seem to be about her and Ben's lives, but they are usually not romantic songs, but reflective songs on their lives or their view of the world. Usually her songs about love and romance are written as an outsider looking in as though she's writing about people she sees in her everyday life. This song seems to be a love song written for Ben and as a long time Everything But the Girl fan I really like that. The album is definitely no Everything But the Girl album, but if you are a big fan like me it's a good pick.
Jesca Hoop - Money (Kismet [2007])
allmusic, band homepage, myspace
The most complete song on the album. It has the experimental and funky sound of the album but nicely packaged in a solid pop tune. The album is hit or miss with me. You can check her out on Morning Becomes Eclectic.
Zox - 7th Avenue Prophet (Line In the Sand [2008])
allmusic, band homepage, myspace
This album isn't bad. It seems there are so many of these bands out there, but that doesn't mean they can't produce a good song here and there. I think this song fits that. It's a solid pop-rock tune with a nice sound that goes out beyond a lot of the album.
