Reviews
Artist: Po'Girl
Album: Deer In The Night
Tracks: 14
Label: Self Release
Website: www.myspace.com/pogirls
Currently riding high at number 21 in the Euro Americana Chart, Deer In The Night incorporates pop sensibilities with a multitude of musical styles including: Western Swing, Hip Hop- Indie, Old-Time Jazz, Country,Bluegrass, and Dust bowl Blues. Po'Girl is- Allison Russell/ Awna Teixeira, Benny Sidelinger and a twinkling array of guest musicians/arrangers too numerous to mention here due to lack of space. The result? Well, read on folks- you will not be disappointed...
Opener and title song- Deer In The Night's atmospheric mixes down like softness with a dreamlike ambiance to captivating effect. That is- it's rhythm sways gently while it's creators sing it beautifully, so beautifully in fact. I am reminded of the Everly Brothers at their most sultry best. The glockenspiel therein is sublime as is the solid yet sensitive drumming. If you buy this album reader, you will find that the record plays like one extended song as it's pictures merge.
Second song in and I am restraining myself from dancing. Dig me a hole is a celebration of a certain Band's ecstasy, a flamboyant friend with a large measure indisputable individuality. Augmented by clunky banjo, big snare and bass, Rag-Time jollity and a host of other instruments. This song is a joy and a musical triumph.
Throughout track three, four and five you will hear brooding dusty songs, ragged Rock, upbeat Swing and mid- paced popular song. Track six will draw you in to a world of red wine and candlelit subjectivity.
Seven is lyrically intriguing. Eight is somewhat downbeat. Nine acts as a bridge to ten which is track two's willing dance partner. Eleven leads to Track twelve which is topically dark.
Tracks thirteen and fourteen- Fool- How The Poet Goes, are buoyant, slickly crafted infectious wonders and as their rhythms gather walking pace. We casually begin to bounce and shuffle down picturesque, sprawling roads of romance. Onwards towards down-town coffee shops, 'random chances', love and human remains. 'Blooming graveyards, 'the moon and the stars' and sadly, towards the close of this fine and thoroughly enjoyable album...
Jim Sutherland 2009