Dragersville

Album Review

Self-produced and released, Dragersville offers the first glimpse into the world of Rose Polenzani as she tenderly wraps herself in the cloaks of her darkly, profanely human characters. On "You Don't Know," her voice floats sweetly above the acoustic guitar recalling the breathiness of Catie Curtis and Edie Brickell, but the song itself expresses an achy longing that cuts deep into the heart of lovers parting ways: "Trust me, you don't want me around/I'm too fond of always leaving you." Chase that with the almost upbeat tone of "Olga's Birthday," which belies the twisted tale of two women in love, one being forced into heterosexual submission under the guise of being saved by Jesus. Not your everyday folk fodder, this is heady stuff, with layers of profound meaning and emotions scarcely imagined by many 24-year-olds. This is what Rose Polenzani brings to the table in song after song. Gently aided by the likes of Geoff Benge on guitar, mandolin, and backing vocals and Andrew Bird and Jordi Kleiner on violin, the sparse instrumentation allows Polenzani plenty of room in which to plunge and purge the depths of her soul and yours, as well.