The Diamond Fields

Album Review

Priscilla Ederle took seven years to follow up her impressive 1994 debut, Last Will & Testament, but it was a smart move. Ederle allowed herself the time to personally and professionally explore, and the end result was a move from her native Detroit to the sunny beaches of California. Musically, she switched from poetic folk-pop to a melodically tight folk-inspired rock sound. The Diamond Fields highlights Ederle's maturation as a singer/songwriter, and it proves a stylish, decent effort. Ederle tweaks minimal electronic beats within heavy acoustics throughout The Diamond Fields. She's vocally engaging, a near version of Shawn Colvin, Paula Cole, or Sarah Shannon. The dark waltz of "The Story of Allison" is a shining moment while the candied curves of "Invisible" and "Very Last Day" showcase an indie pop side. For the first time, Ederle is backed by a band, and the combination fleshes out the raw pop appeal of The Diamond Fields, allowing Priscilla Ederle to run free with issues of distance and love. It's bittersweet, while also a sophisticated look into her world as a young woman and an artist in the making.