With oodles of critical praise but disappointing commercial response,
Tift Merritt's terrific 2002 debut was a qualified success. On her follow-up two years later, she gradually but decidedly moves her ringing country rock toward a more classic
soul sound. With producer
George Drakoulias -- who mined similar territory with
Maria McKee -- providing the musical muscle, the album is an impressive accomplishment.
Merritt sure has the pipes for this stirring
soul/
americana music. She sings with an aching acquiescence common to
country artists such as
Emmylou Harris and
Dolly Parton, but belts out these tunes with the power of
Linda Ronstadt in her prime.
Drakoulias wisely places her tough yet tender vocals front and center in the mix, leaving her faceless but competent backup musicians to carry the bluesy twang she has perfected here.
Dusty Springfield and
McKee have both covered this ground, but on
memphis soul shots like "Good Hearted Man" and especially "Your Love Made a U Turn" with full, blaring horns and
r&b backing vocals, the effect is explosive and revelatory. "Ain't Looking Closely" takes its ringing guitar straight from
Roger McGuinn's
Byrds days, but the meaty approach and chorus is strictly Southern. The
blues that infuses "Still Pretending" adds a torchy
Dwight Yoakam/
George Jones approach with
Merritt projecting hurt resignation on top of subtle strings and a classic
country sound out of the '60s. "The Plainest Thing" strips down the backing to bare organ, brushed drums, and spare guitar, leaving plenty of room for
Merritt's luxurious voice. But it's the more upbeat tracks that rule, as
Merritt and
Drakoulias' firm control and extraordinary sense of dynamics shoot this album into orbit. Tambourine is a remarkably mature, confident, and commanding release that defines then rides its groove with no low points. It should make
Merritt the star she deserves to be. ~ Hal Horowitz, All Music Guide
Ani K. (