Artist: Liz Longley
Album: Liz Longley
Label: Sugar Hill Records
Release Date: 03/17/2015
With her new self titled album, Liz Longley joins a really competitive genre of female singer songwriters alongside the likes of Patty Griffin, Aimee Mann, Rosanne Cash, and on and on. Not that this is a bad thing if she has the chops, which I believe she does. Yes, the album is filled with the standard themes: love, love lost, heartbreak, etc. But, the subject matter may be the only standard thing about this album. Longley’s soft but strong voice is young and fresh and totally enjoyable. Her lyrics pull the listener right into the story and you feel her pain, frustration and courage throughout the album.
“Outta My Head” is a great story about the aftermath of a breakup mixed with a move to a different city. “You’ve Got That Way” is so full of feeling that you know she is in love. “Bad Habit,” well, you know. “Never Loved Another” is another. Don’t get me wrong. I love these songs. The themes may be familiar, but Longley’s lyrics and voice are very mature for such a young lady. Maybe it is all those awards she won while still in school. If she does nothing else but come out with songs like “Simple Love,” I am all in.
On the other hand, there is “Skin and Bones,” a gutsy song telling-off a friend who seems to have betrayed everyone. This song is a clear indication of great things to come.
Oh, and the story behind “We Run” is wonderful.
This album, recorded in Nashville with a great band, is not her first, but it may very well be her launch into some very good company. I love it and look forward her growth and more great music to come.
– Mark J. Smith
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