Paula Sinclair - Steady Girl Review
Posted by Paul Hollingsworth on 03.26.2009
Country girls like Paula Sinclair get the blues, too. On her fourth album, Sinclair takes aim at the familiar country targets of heartache and pain, but does she hit the mark or miss by a country mile?
1. Something Sweeter
2. Fearless Heart
3. Steady Girl
4. Drifting
5. Medicine Burn
6. Even If I Fall
7. When A Heart Breaks
8. Looking For Love
9. Blue-Eyed Kentucky Boy
10. Something Blue
11. Sweet Tooth
The country music of today has become so overproduced and over thought that it only superficially bears any resemblance to the musical roots of pioneers like Hank Williams , Patsy Cline or Tennessee Ernie Ford . If you listen to any country radio stations, you're not likely to hear anything that would seem out of place on Top 40 pop radio. Thankfully, musicians like the Kentucky born Paula Sinclair are quite comfortable returning to the origins of country music, which has, from the very beginning, dealt almost exclusively with love and its aftermath.
Sinclair's voice has a strength which commands attention. From the first few lines of album opener, "Something Sweeter", it's clear you're no longer in the land of contemporary country. The majority of modern country singers are vanilla-voiced, all sound the same and do their best to remove all traces of country drawl from their voices. Not so with Sinclair, who immediately sounds like she must come from Kentucky, much like fellow Kentucky native Loretta Lynn. Her voice can reach angelic heights, but you can tell the heights were reached only after several descents into the depths.
The second song, a cover of county music heavyweight Steve Earle's "Fearless Heart" further shows the range Sinclair can reach. It's an ambitious attempt to cover such a well-known song, and Sinclair shows herself capable of the task. While Earle's version was self-confident and assured, Sinclair infuses the song with a trace of vulnerability and doubt. You're left wondering, if Sinclair is indeed, 'strong enough to get you through the scary part . Covers only work when they add a layer or a texture to the original song, and Sinclair, using the same words and a nearly identical arrangement, adds a feeling of hurt and helplessness absent from the original.
Sinclair glides effortlessly through the album between classic country tunes,("Steady Girl"), bluegrass ("Blue-Eyed Kentucky Boy") and back again ("Sweet Tooth"). "Sweet Tooth" in particular, wouldn't sound out of place on an Emmylou Harris record from the 70's. However, because everything in music these days must have a label, Sinclair will probably be saddled with the title of alt-country. Alt-country is nothing more than traditional country, and the 'alt' prefix will probably scare off more than a few people, who associate anything 'alt' as containing lots of screaming, flannel or wailing guitars. Alt-country is a misnomer. There's nothing 'alt' about this record, as it's just straight ahead country, without any of the pop pretenses of contemporary country.
"When A Heart Breaks" is my favorite track on the album. Sinclair knows how to write a traditional country song, and her lyrics on this one are especially poignant. 'You smiled and you told me/ Sometimes things don't work out/You said we had some good times/But the good times ran out/Stood there in silence though I thought I might shout/But baby when a heart breaks it don't make a sound'
Unlike whatever drivel you might hear on the radio, you get the distinct impression that Sinclair has had this experience, that's she writing the lyrics from an (almost) fond memory. The music, the lyrics and Sinclair's voice all combine to create a very moving, fluid account of the end of a relationship, and its the sort of song which everyone can relate to. Musicians often give lip service to being 'true' or 'honest' and 'open' with their songs. Sometimes, as in this case, they don't have to speak it, because each image, each lyric rings true the first time you hear it.
Last week, I reviewed Neko Case's latest album, and I can't help but notice the similarities. Both women are classified as 'alt-country', both have strong song writing skills, and both are obviously very talented. The only real difference I can find is that Neko has name recognition while Sinclair, outside of her current home of Oregon, does not. There are songs on each album which could fit comfortably on the other. If you liked what you heard with Neko, you'll be well served to give Sinclair a listen as well.
The 411: Much like Jamey Johnson's album last year, this album came out of nowhere and surprised me with its depth. Aside from a little bit of Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn and pre He-Haw (look it up, kids, if you're not familiar) Buck Owens, I'm not a big fan of country music. However, Sinclair has crafted a very classic album, full of songs which ring true and 'lived through. It's not just good, traditional country music, it's good music, period.
