Lisa Mednick - Album - “Semaphore” (Texas Music Group, 2002)

Woohoo! An album from Texas that doesn’t sound like Billy Ray Cyrus. That’s a bit of an over-exaggeration - many fine artists come from the State of course - and Lisa Mednick is one of those artists. Sounding as different from conventional americana fare as you could possibly imagine, Mednick immediately sounds like Beth Orton passed through a country mincer. Rather than indulge in an album of twang, the vocals ring out from the opening words of “Wrecker” (“I’m not the faithful star/Who Steers You Through the Night/I am the black flagged Pirate/Gunning for a fight”) with an almost European subtelty without losing any soulfulness. And even when the lyrics are aggressive, they’re tempered with Mednick’s melancholy aura. She’s a stellar singer-songwriter too. At least three quarters of the album’s self-penned numbers are as good as any of her previous material, lyrically both charming and innate. However, as she points out herself, the lyrics are there to indulge yourself in after the music’s made its point. In that sense, tracks like “Chickamuga” (with its folk leanings) and the bluesy “No More Rain” achieve their goal - instantly accessible but with enough depth for you to return after many listens. MW

Date review added:  Monday, April 22, 2002
Reviewer:  Admin
Reviewers Rating: