Caitlin Rose - The Stand-In

It is very rare for one of the little known female singers that seem to populate my CD collection to appear in the Sunday Times review of the latest releases, never mind become Album of the Week. But Caitlin Rose's second album The Stand-In certainly deserves such praise.

When I reviewed her first album Own Side Now in 2011, I remarked on the songs slightly unusual quality. They have a quiet, relaxed feel, with her voice projected far in front of the instruments. Her music has been described as a country, (maybe because she comes from Nashville) but her songs veer more towards a more folksy sound. There are definite hints of Nanci Griffith. Just listen to Shanghai Cigarettes.

The new album is a more mature and mainstream offering. The contrast with her previous album can be heard on the opening bars of the first track on each. The crashing guitar riff on the new recording is a statement of intent. The songs start off in a definitely more country style but soon we have melodies that would have not seen out of place from her earlier work. But here the production is stronger and more powerful. And boy, does it suit her songs. The twangy guitars nearly spoil a track like Dallas, but Rose's own compositions are mainly unaffected. Track four is an uptempo stand out crowd pleaser. I can turn up the volume in the car and really feel something. Move over Nanci.