Album Review

There is no doubt that the alt-country revolution has exploded onto the music scene. The success of artists like Lucinda Williams and Patty Griffin has opened up the doors for a new breed of female country artists. Maggie Brown is one of the new breed and she’s going to make some waves. She’s the complete package; a solid guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. Her debut album is a reminder of just how damn good country music can be when you strip away all the pop gloss and get back to basics.

Maggie’s husky vocal style is one of the few that leaves me stumped to draw comparisons. At times she will remind you of Lucinda Williams or Kathleen Edwards but neither is really all that accurate. In a world of sound alike singers it’s refreshing to hear an instantly identifiable voice.

“Forty Dollars” opens the album and sets the tone for the rest of the record. It’s an in-your-face recording with Maggie’s huge voice soaring above an energetic band. The roaring “Used Cars” expertly blends a rock attitude with solid country songwriting. A funky acoustic riff drives “I Like It” through many repeat listens. “Wasted” and “Mosquito Net” are wonderfully rocking winners.

The stringed instrument opening on “No Where To Go But Crazy” is so jarringly different from the rest of the album that the delicate ballad stands out even more than it normally would. It’s hard to pull off such a radical style shift but Maggie does it with ease. The haunting “Shame” is further proof that Maggie isn’t just a one trick pony.

Rarely does an artist come along whose sound is so completely realized right from the first track. Maggie Brown has delivered one of the best debut albums I’ve ever heard and sets a high benchmark for other records coming out this year. It’s only January and here is one of the albums which will end up making the short list of “must have” releases of the year. Maggie Brown is the real deal.

Album Review by Jeff Krasky

The WOC Rating Scale

The album stands above the rest. This is a record that every country music fan needs to have in their collection. This album is better than the average release. A strong record with some flaws that keep it from reaching that 5 star level. This album is an average country release. Doesn't posses qualities that make it stand out among all the other albums out there. A weak record that lacks solid songs or good vocal performances. Sample before you buy. This record is a bargin-bin reject that just isn't worth the time or the money. Completely misses the mark.