Pop-folk singer-songwriter Dar Williams has a new release, and I’m positively giddy about it. Promised Land features her trademark thoughtful and candid observations of life but with a little harder musical edge than her previous releases.

You won’t find any screeching metal solos or the like, but she used Grammy nominee Brad Wood as her producer (Liz Phair, Sarah Bettens) so it’s going to be different than her previous effort, Honesty Room.

It’s not that Williams moved directly from earthy folk goddess to rocker queen — in fact, she’s never been the latter — but there’s been a gradual movement away from a simple girl-with-guitar style.

Wandering around art museums helped fuel some songs, as did the Milgram social psychology experiments in which people were asked to administer electric shocks to others. Williams got to thinking about why someone would conform to an experiment like that and wrote “Buzzer.” … continue reading

It's a busy week for slow songs as singer-songwriters dominate the release schedule. The artists featured today are all very familiar but with some new tracks (and for some, a new sound), but they'll most likely be finding some new fans.

Dar Williams — Promised Land (Razor & Tie)

The long-time folk songstress has been rumored to be bisexual, but even after she "came out" as straight, lesbian fans remain drawn to her autobiographical storytelling style. Promised Land is more of the same, but with more mature lyrical content.

Catie Curtis — Sweet Life (Compass Records)
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A cover of Death Cab for Cutie's "Soul Meets Body" gives the country-tinged singer a small edge on her new album, otherwise, it's going to be pleasantly familiar music to fans ears (especially if you're a fan of her newer work like her previous album, Long Night Moon).

Last week, some boys at The Onion's A.V. Club compiled a list of “23 Songs That Should Never Be Covered Again.” I thought it would be a fun list, but I found it kind of boring because it was full of songs that have been covered well (“All Along the Watchtower,” “Respect,” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”) and songs I've never heard covered (“99 Luftballons,” “Come On Eileen”). So I quickly found that I did not care. However, it did get me thinking, and I eventually came up with a list of my own: covers I like even more than the originals.

5. “I Think We're Alone Now,” Tiffany (original — Tommy James and the Shondells)

Don't hate me because I like this song. I love the Tommy James version of the song, and I was never a Tiffany fan. But there's something about her cover (mall performances and all) that is very memorable and — dare I say? — good. My affinity may be influenced by my early college memories surrounding the song, but there's something about her perky, raspy voice that just works. … continue reading