Double albums can present a risk especially in these challenging
times for enhanced content. However, if they are put together as thoughtful as
this new release from Susan Cattaneo then any foray into the unknown is
underpinned by assured protection. THE HAMMER & THE HEART is a neatly packaged
compendium of concepts, collaborations and contrasts. At the core, is an artist
striving for an independent stance and backing an ability to make an impressionable
record. These has been achieved through a strident act of duality, with
sufficient appeal to make those of a country, folk or Americana persuasion sit
up and take note.
Weighing in with near symmetrical proportion, each disc
mirrors the nine track – thirty plus minute format. As intimated in the title,
THE HAMMER generally contains the upbeat punchy numbers, while its counterpart
THE HEART takes a deeper and mellower look at the song writing content. Both
discs start with the same song, albeit in different styles. ‘Work Hard Love Harder’ is the track,
carrying the album’s motto and largely being the true soul of the record. The
up tempo version sees a link up with St. Louis based rock ‘n’ roll band The
Bottle Rockets. The stellar opening line ‘the heart beats louder than the
dollar’ has a more profound effect on the alternative version, but either take
is a suitable introduction to each disc.
The other sixteen tracks are a general mix of originals
(both of a solo and co-write status) and carefully crafted covers. The four
falling into the latter category come from a variety of diverse backgrounds. ‘Back Door Slam’ and ‘Everybody Cryin’ Mercy’ call at the
blues; a grungy version of Buddy and June Miller’s ‘Does My Ring Burn Your Finger’ tips the hat towards Americana,
while a three-part harmony version of ‘Space
Oddity’ requires little explanation.
While the debate on the value of a cover will probably never
be resolved, the desirable worth of Susan’s writing is indisputable. Two great
collaborations with Bill Kirchen illuminate THE HAMMER disc, headed by some
lightning telecaster work on ‘In the
Grooves’, an ode to the traditional way of listening to music. The other
takes the form of a standard duet, with ‘Loves
Goes Right’ being the perfect antidote to the break up country song. A
refreshing sentiment that can often be underplayed in the genre.
Further more intense personal thoughts, as you would
generally expect from title’s inference, take hold on THE HEART in the form of ‘Ordinary Magic’, ‘Bitter Moon’ and ‘Smoke’.
Accompanying a copy of this album is a detailed personal insight into each song
that aids the understanding. The merit of this approach puts Susan Cattaneo
firmly in the camp of wanting to get her message over, rather than giving
listeners a licence to roam. The bottom line is that the music wholeheartedly retains
the tone to speak for itself and can also stand alone without the conceptual background.
Other picks from enjoying many entertaining listens to the
album include the Mark Erelli co-write ‘The
River Always Wins’, and another tune with an environmental spin, ‘Field of Stone’. ‘Ten Kinds of Trouble’, complete with the memorable line ‘Elvis in
your soul’, is another track to head in a bluesy Southern direction, clearly
showing the New England born, raised and based Cattaneo in a comfortable adopted
role.
Having previously given two of her releases – HAUNTED HEART
and LITTLE BIG SKY – a seal of approval here, there was a period of letting the
extensiveness of this meatier product bed in. Make no mistake, THE HAMMER &
THE HEART is a brave ambitious project, but its adeptness, classy construction
and tapping into the wealth of sincere sentiment have yielded Susan Cattaneo a high
degree of success. Ultimately, it has evolved into a formidable album to engage
with a growing band of listeners.
