Grace Pool - Where We Live (CD)

All Music Guide

The second album by New York's Grace Pool is less abstract and artsy than their 1988 debut, but like that album, it doesn't merit the nearconstant 10,000 Maniacs comparisons (both bands are from upstate New York and have female singers) that dogged the group throughout their career. This time out, singer Elly Brown, guitarist Bob Riley, and an overhauled version of the group from the first album put a bit more of a rock edge on their alternafolky tunes, courtesy of new guitarist Beki Brindle and Hammond B3 organist Andy Burton. Singer Elly Brown's lyrics have an open vulnerability to them, which adds a note of frailty to her otherwise assertive vocal style. (Far from the omnipresent Natalie Merchant comparisons, Brown actually sounds more than a little like Lucinda Williams at times.) Opening with the terrific single "Me Without You," Where We Live is a mostly minorkey collection of haunting tunes marred by a slightly tooslick production (possibly the fault of remixer Kevin Killen, who...'d smoothed out Elvis Costello's Spike and Mighty Like a Rose around the same time) with overprominent drums, which are particularly annoying on the otherwise delightful "Wedding on the Lawn." With a more sympathetic production Where We Are would have been a real winner, but those who can ignore the dated production choices will find much to like. Stewart Mason, All Music Guide Read more Less