Come Undone
VizzTone, 2019
8/10
Gracie Curran’s sophomore album arrives a half decade after her acclaimed debut, Proof Of Love, and much like that first effort the songstress shows us how well those raspy, alluring pipes can resonate.
The title track starts the listen with spirited yet sparse guitars before a warm, rhythmic blues setting sweeps in as Curran’s soulful expressive vocals take center stage, and “Ernestine” follows with a quieter setting of timeless folk sounds and dreamy singing.
Further along, “Stay Up!” recruits bright horns on a bouncy and upbeat excursion into jazz fun, while “The Things We Love” has the album turning into an emotive display of power and melody.
Near the end, “If Mama Ain’t Happy” is a piano rocker that’s animated and full of body shakin’ melodica that would make Jerry Lee Lewis proud, and “Chasing Sunsets” ends on a contemplative note where Curran’s pipes soar.
After 5 years of touring between her 2 records, Curran has stories to tell, and they unfold here with forthrightness, cautiousness and plenty of help from her esteemed friends. If Curran sees another Blues Award for Come Undone, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit.
Travels well with: Alabama Shakes- Boys & Girls; Grace Potter & The Nocturnals- This Is Somewhere