Abi Robins - For Luck Or Lie

Abi Robbins - For Luck Or Lie
2010, Morningbird Records

Abi Robbins is back with her third album, For Luck Or Lie, on her own Morningbird Records. Like on previous efforts Hey, Sunshine! and A Conversation With Myself, Robbins goes for highly personal subject matter delivered in matter-of-fact lyrical and musical marriages. Her delivery and style may remind you of Rachael Sage, Amy Mann or even Dana Wells, although Robbins may have sacrificed some of her more dynamic style this time around. For Luck Or Lie is essentially a breakup album, or perhaps more about the psychological process that leads to the breakup. Rather than surfing over the light and dark spots of her own psyche, Robbins dwells almost solely in the darker rooms of her memory palace on For Luck Or Lie, examining how one gets into a hopeless relationship and all of the energy that gets wasted trying to save what we've put so much time and effort into.

The result is a litany of frustration in music, tempered at times by hope that Robbins buys into but never truly believes. For Luck Or Lie opens with a song of self-sacrifice, "Buried". This is the starting point of realization, but it comes slowly. "Well Cut Dead Grass" is highly metaphorical, as if Robbins' mind turns slowly to the idea of getting away, introducing the concept in very vague terms that are slow to take root and blossom. Initial doubts are met by resolution, "Soldier" and justification, "The Art Of Forgetting". The steps down begin with "At Least For Now", the first acknowledgement that the end may come. "520325" is the best songwriting on the disc, although the meaning is shrouded deep in numbers that may mean much to Robbins but may be elusive idols to listeners. Stylistically, Robbins sounds a bit like Ron Hawkins here.

"Small Voice" is perhaps the turning point of the album, and as Robbins transitions into "Now You Know", Robbins begins to come to terms with what must happen. It's a song about the misgivings that grow inside misguided love like a cancer and the toll they can take. "Fool" and "Plans" presage the end, while Robbins regains control of her life with "Any More". Robbins uses the musical canvas to paint a grander picture than lyrics alone could tell. The strings are a nice touch, expressing new growth and a freedom from all of the mess that's been running around her brain up until now. "Pray Tell" is the album's epilogue; asking, essentially, "what's next?" It's clear that she still finds value in the person she's just left behind, enough to hope she'll be forgiven for doing what she needed to do. One senses a slippery slope here however; as "Pray Tell" perhaps leaves a crack of hope that something may bloom again one day.

Lyrically, For Luck Or Lie is among Robbins' best work, but the relentless tone of the album can be a bit tough to take. If you're not listening carefully, a few songs may run by you without really distinguishing themselves one from another. The dynamics and tone really don't change much until the last couple of songs, and this may turn off some listeners. It's a solid effort, but perhaps a bit too consistent to really grab your attention.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Abi Robins at http://www.abirobinsmusic.com/ or www.myspace.com/abirobins. For Luck Or Lie is available as either a CD or Download from CDBaby.com.

Review: Dana Wells - The Evergreen EP

Dana Wells - The Evergreen EP
2010, Dana Wells

Growing up in a Washington, D.C. area household where top-notch musicians regularly come to record in your basement has to have an effect on someone. For Dana Wells, it served as a breeding ground for a subtle mind and a voice that are both mature far beyond her nineteen years. The Berklee College Of Music student is the daughter of prominent Beltway band leader Wayne Kilentz and was composing her own songs by the age of three. As the bass player, songwriter and lead vocalist for Lemonface, Wells transcended the usual high school band experience, becoming a top draw in the Baltimore/DC corridor as well as playing clubs in New York City and Los Angeles. As wells transitioned from high school to college, she also transitioned into the role of solo artist. The first official document is now available, as Wells has released her solo debut, The Evergreen EP.

Wells opens with "Anyone But You", a love song that avoids convention and sap to explore potential. Wells makes great use of imagery here and throughout the EP, wrapped in a simple arrangement and strong melody. Dana Wells has a voice that's clear and sweet with just a hint of amber; shaded but not dark or desolate. "We Come Undone" is a forthright and insightful look into the human condition and the chaos we seem to breed. Wells shows herself to be a serious songwriter with a gentle delivery that's eminently pleasing to the ear. "Evergreen" is a song about faith; not so much religious faith per se, but a faith in things working out for the best. Wells sings with her heart; showing an ability to commit to a song fully and in the moment without over-performing

"Leave Me", which Wells co-wrote with guitarist Mark Williams deals with the aftermath of a relationship. The song takes a pragmatic approach to looking back, yet betrays a deeply emotional vein beneath the surface. On "The Benefit" Wells acquires a country/Americana flavor that suits her well. The song is highly poetic and well-written; a wow-moment that illuminates the aftermath of a relationship in highly personal terms. All of this is build-up to "Watching Winter Melt Away", a virtuosic songwriting endeavor that uses both seasons and geography to illuminate the cycles of love and loss. Wells uses the song to uncover a realization that a relationship is simply not meant to be. "Watching Winter Melt Away" is the sort of song that other artists hear over time and cover because the song is so compelling and well written it needs to be heard. The Evergreen EP winds down with "Into Air", rumination on loss that's full of melancholy and regret. "Into Air" is poignant, skipping self-pity for an attempt to better understand how something good fell apart.

It's hard to know where to start. If you saw Dana Wells busking on a corner somewhere you'd keep throwing money in her case all day so she wouldn't stop. Add to this a songwriting talent that quickly paces the bulk of her contemporaries and shows the potential to someday be discussed in awed tones and it's hard to imagine Dana Wells doing anything other than making music for a living. Wells doesn't aim for such lofty goals as being a rock star, but she does want to be a working musician. Music fans everywhere benefit from that decision (or they will over time). This is talent that's meant to shine, and Dana Wells has made an excellent start of it on The Evergreen EP.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Dana Wells at http://www.danawellsmusic.com/ or www.myspace.com/danawellsmusic. The Evergreen EP is available as either a CD or Download from CDBaby.com.