Hugs and Misses
by Stephen Hug

 
“From the Five” by Stephen Bruton (New West Records)—This guy’s musical resume made me presume, even before listening, that “From the Five” was going to knock me over.  He’s played guitar with Bonnie Raitt, Christine McVie, etc., and produced albums for Chris Smither and others.  His previous CD was terrific (I met him after he released that record, called “Spirit World,” when he played the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River) and “From the Five,” even without my words of wisdom, was already getting attention on Americana charts.  All that said—to my furry ears this record is not as good as I think Stephen Bruton could have made it.  It’s not that he’s lazy—in fact, overall this CD is a solid, quality presentation.  The songs just aren’t interesting; not like “Spirit World.”  There’s nothing not to like about this CD; but there’s nothing to love either.  3 bottlecaps for this one.  Good, not great.  For what it’s worth, I suggest he tap into the work of other songwriters for his next record, and only use his finest original compositions.
 
“Kerosene,” by Miranda Lambert (Sony Nashville)—As far as these furry ears are concerned, Ms. Lambert had three strikes against her before I seriously listened to this CD: She’s on a major label (We critics love the indies, don’t we?), she’s done well on the country charts (Sony reports she’s the top selling debut country artist in 2005) and in her Sony Nashville bio she says “I’ll never dance around stage in a halter top” while her CD has alluring shots of her all over the place.  Somehow, though, this 21-year-old Texan has made a snappy record that deserves to be heard by even us “hip” alt-country types.  Why?  Because it’s got energy, spunk and pretty good songs.  And just to keep snobby jackals like me at bay, she’s got roots guy Buddy Miller singing with her, and Randy Scruggs on mandolin and guitar. She’s written most of the songs, sometimes with her dad Rick, Travis Howard, and a young woman apparently Miranda and her dad spotted at a talent contest—Heather Little.  If you don’t like today’s mainstream country, then you might have to overcome those feelings to sit back and enjoy this guilty pleasure.  Otherwise give this woman a shot.  3 ½ bottle caps.  Pretty damn good debut.  But who cares what I think?  The general country music consumer has already weighed in and they love Miranda.  Listen to them cash registers! 
 
“Face This World,” by Glenna Bell (Self)—She has the clipped vocal delivery of Janis Joplin without the blues and a Natalie Merchant quirkiness without Natalie’s I-Just-Bought-This-At-Starbucks snob appeal.  Glenna Bell is a Texan who is one or two great songs, one or two lucky breaks from breaking out into the AAA radio format in a big way (she’s too rootsy for mainstream country).  Her singing is heartfelt and distinctive (though on certain cuts she’s dead-on Janis) and the songs on “Face This World” worth recording.  3 ¼ bottle caps.