In This Town

Album Review

This talented folk-oriented singer-songwriter begins her appealing album with "Maverick Boy," a fine mid-tempo song that resembles an Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt duet. The wide use of instruments including banjo and mandolin gives it a definite roots rock slant. The length of some of the songs might appear arduous, but the flow Marianne Girard brings to each tune never fails her. In This Town has more of a country feeling to it, drawing comparisons to Blue Rodeo's album Five Days In July: a strong narrative mainly consisting of vocal and acoustic guitar. Girard takes the tone of the album slightly with "Where You Go," a melodic number that would bring to mind Lynn Miles. Her vocals are strong without being overpowering; another asset to the record. "Know Your Rider" is a mix of blues, folk and country, and is very easy on one's ears. Slowly building, the song would fit well with Bonnie Raitt. "War Song" possesses a certain amount of tension from its outset:: while Girard is singing, a marching drum, a djembe, and a pennywhistle are heard in the distance. But the song never really finds its footing. "Fare Thee Well" is a traditional Celtic-tinged ballad the musician seems quite adept at doing. Although it has a swaying quality to it, Girard gives one of her better performances on this track. "Constantinople" is a lush and gorgeous effort that brings to mind an upbeat Cowboy Junkies. The concluding "Sun Through The Bamboo" is a piano-driven melancholic tune that might be a bit too long. But on the whole, the album is a testament to her solid songwriting and consistently stellar performance.