2007-09-12
Lara Ewen and the Unstrung Orchestra's debut album, Ghosts and Gasoline, leaves behind the lingering scent of "perfume, cigarettes and booze." Ewen's 11 believable tales are complemented by a sliding and sultry acoustic guitar, and the result is a ruggedly tender trip to heartache. From "The Airport Song" to "Manhattan to Kansas" (by train) to "A Way to You" via automobile. She even takes a stab at time travel in "20 Years Ago." Ewen is at her best in the autobiographical "Clear," as a woman who is struggling for perspective, who at times "got all hunched over with those American dreams." Despite her reliance on a few lyrical cliches, Ewen's impassioned treks really satisfy, and it would appear that this Manhattan mermaid has found a home. Track 6 "Clear" contains "shit."RUTHIE AND THE WRANGLERS
AMERICANA EXPRESS
SANDI THOM
Smile...it Confuses People
MEG HUTCHINSON
The Living Side
HARLEM PARLOR MUSIC CLUB
SALT OF THE EARTH
KAKI KING
...Until We Felt Red
THE BLACKBERRY BUSHES
Little Bit of Grace
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