2016 and another Canadian folk and roots artist is
introduced to a UK audience, but when the quality is as high as Carly Dow few
who engage with her music will grumble. INGRAINED is a smart album delivering
ten self-penned songs wrapped in a country sentiment. Recorded in Winnipeg, it
is the debut release from Carly and shows the depth of talent we are continually
being presented from a land so rich in song writing pedigree. The album possesses
a luscious sound and instantly draws you in. If you are moved by lyrical
analysis this record presents plenty of opportunities to ponder song meanings and
could even be described as a dreamer’s paradise. The biggest compliment to pay
is that Carly will own your ears each time you spin this disc or whatever mode
of play is your choice.
All ten tracks possess an impressive degree of clarity
surrounding their production and reception thus making this an album to find
its groove immediately. It is hugely assisted by a great introductory piece in
the unaccompanied ‘Olive Branch’, wealthy
in gospel appeal with an infectious clapping beat supporting a well-structured song.
After this inspiring start the album is strongly positioned to glimpse into
several strands of Carly’s creative artistry. The album’s premium moment
quickly arrives at track #3 and ‘Too Much
to Go Back’ has the stamina to hang around playlists for quite a while. It
is certainly helped by the stellar line ‘highway cuts like a vein pushing blood’
as Carly digs deep for some literary inspiration. The lovely vibes and top
notch lap steel interlude help form this track which, far from being alone at
the album peak, invites plenty of other songs to join it. Making a valiant
attempt to match this highpoint is the magical banjo-led beauty ‘Not a Songbird’. You can’t go wrong with
a load of banjo and ‘Soil to Dust’
supplies plenty on a tune where her band’s presence kicks in.
As if to show there is a widespread diversity in her
repertoire, extra instrumentation kick into a metaphorical piece titled ‘This Dress’ which hails re-united love
in a straightforward style. More steel and a touch of haunting twang provide a
backdrop to ‘Down This Road’, while a
low ‘n’ slow approach to ‘Casanova’
enhances the degree of the song’s message. The final three tracks each in their
own way give the album further credence. The addition of cello to ‘Yours and Mine’ creates a sombre feeling
to a song which possibly struggles to make an impression alongside the meatier
tracks. The harmony vocals is probably the redeeming feature to ‘Watch it Go’ which just leaves the
intimate laid back lullaby ‘All Sleep
Tonight’ to bring a highly worthy album to a close.
INGRAINED has that dual edged feeling of providing a few
head scratching moments for those infatuated with lyrical interpretation and an
innate ability to plainly entertain the other type of listener content with
sitting back to let the sounds do their soothing job. One thing for sure is
that Carly Dow has made an excellent record to announce her arrival on the
international scene which we have been indicated is likely to be followed up
with a UK visit later this year. A name and an album to look out for.
www.carlydowmusic.com