Album Review: Joan Shelley - Over and Even
By Sam Tornow, Contributor
[No Quarter; 2015]
Rating: 3.5/5
Key Tracks: “Not Over By Half,” “Lure and Line"
Just like a walk through a park on an autumn day, Joan Shelley’s third solo album Over and Even will put the listener's heart at ease and craving a mug of hot cider. The folk singer’s newest release combines dreamy melodies with sleepy vocals to create a beautifully tranquil piece of work.
The first noticeable quality when listening to Over and Even is Shelley’s voice. The vocal lines are smooth, controlled and catered to every song in a different, yet tasteful manner. On “Not Over By Half,” a fingerpicking tune with a '60s country vibe, Shelley adds the slightest amount of twang to her voice, but never loses sight of her own style. Later in the album, she demonstrates her ability to hit long, higher pitched notes in the short and simple “Lure and Line.” Contrastingly, Shelley’s pacifying softness is taken up a notch and evolves into a strong, full sound during the foot stomping “No More Shelter.”
The only problem Over and Under runs into is a lack of diversity. Each track on its own is brilliant, but together they begin to blend as many of the songs have similar tempos and guitar parts. Shelley, throughout her career, has proven how talented she is and it would be nice to hear her broaden her horizons and experiment with different musical styles.
With that being said, Over and Even should absolutely be on any folk fan’s fall playlist. Joan Shelley’s newest folky endeavour is a first-rate album with a fitting blend of slow moving melodies and gentle sounds that are a welcome addition to her discography.
