Michael-Ann
Album: Heavy Load
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.michaelannmusic.com

Country, Americana and a bit of bluegrass cross over and come together in the music of lady singer-songwriter Michael-Ann, reflecting the way the backporch feel of her Ozark roots surfaces from time to time even though she grew up in Kansas City and now lives in LA. It helps that Michael-Ann has managed to surround herself with the right blend of musicians to help her realise her songs: Randy Ray Mitchell, Gabe Witcher, Dennis Caplinger, Mark Christian, Phil Palapiano and Taras Prodaniuk, to name but a few… and they make a good full-bodied sound without overdoing it, in other words.

Michael-Ann's songs are straight-down-the-line country in the approved mould, conventionally structured and plain in their sentiments without being sentimental. Which means there's nothing really to criticise - but equally, nothing really to shout about and single out for special praise, and that makes the reviewer's task more difficult, simply because there's nothing to latch onto for a reasoned and overly positive verdict.

Michael-Ann sings tolerably well, if stridently, and expresses herself honestly in safely well-chosen words, if a little anonymously compared to the masters of her craft. I'm not saying her songs have no depth - Mama's Sleeping, for instance, deals with the painful subject of child abuse, and I Would is a tender expression of devotion and love for her children - but there's all too often a feeling of having heard it all before and more memorably elsewhere.

Even the final track, What Don't Kill Ya, doesn't quite redeem the album by turning the wheel in the direction of tougher rockabilly. Quite simply, there's too much (and more distinctive) competition in the field for Michael-Ann to stand out for any special recommendation.

David Kidman