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Dallas Morning News Review -The Geography of Light
February 15th, 2008
by Mario Tarradell - The Dallas Morning News
(Philo/Rounder)
THE MYSTERY OF GEODES: Leave it to folk singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer, she of the warm, rich alto and penchant for exquisite melodies, to find the metaphorical value in geodes. On her ninth studio album, the Indiana-based artist wrote a cut called "Geodes," a lovely ode to finding hidden treasures in what might seem rote and ordinary on the outside. That could very well describe her entire career.
BEAUTY NEED NOT BE PREPACKAGED: The Geography of Light, much like most of Ms. Newcomer's other discs, is a beautifully crafted collection of folk-pop tunes brimming with organic instrumentation yet never lacking for rhythmic heft. That's because on tracks such as "A Map of Shadows," "A Mean Kind of Justice" and "Biscuits and Butter" she opts for a darker tone. And on a sweet number such as "Leaves Don't Drop (They Just Let Go)," she once again finds truisms in the most unlikely places. She's the kind of artist whose music makes you stop, think and then say, "that is so true."
BOTTOM LINE: Memorable folk music should be evocative, melodic and enchanting. Carrie Newcomer's got it all covered.
Mario Tarradell