From within.
American Marybeth D’Amico already made the unnoticed Waiting To Fly after having discovered Patty Griffin and Kathleen Edwards among others.
D’Amico moves self-conciously in an impeccable production by guitarist/bassist Bradley Kopp between country(rock), folk and singer-songwriter. She can rock languidly together with the likes of Richard Bowden – fiddle and Lloyd Maines – dobro and pedal steel, but can also make two teenagers in love long for Nietsche and Kierkegaard in stylish country rock.
Permeating medium tempo songs about a man convicted to death, a wondering teenage mom, a desperate whore-hopper and the wish to lose oneself in love, lust or liquor are even stronger. D’Amico’s empathizing vocals are drenched with melanchloy and regret, supported by Kopps’and Maines’ velvetty, but biting guitars.
These ten strong self-penned songs convince completely that way and in retrospect make curious of that debut.
****1/2
Published in Dutch roots music magazine Heaven no. 58, January-February 2009/no. 1