The Ballad Of Madelyne & Therese
Self-Released, 2023
8/10
Listen to The Ballad Of Madelyne & Therese
The San Francisco singer-songwriter Rachel Garlin welcomes a handful of musicians to her vivid storytelling that’s full of timeless and sincere songwriting.
The swift pace of “Having Slept On It” opens with Garlin’s buzzing guitar and warm vocals alongside James King’s bright brass and Jonny Flaugher’s agile bass, and “Please Therese” follows with Michael Jerome’s frisky drumming and Kenneth Crouch’s well timed keys for the soulful climate.
Halfway through, “Louisa” enters calm areas that benefit from Victor Indrizzo’s strategic percussion and Jordan Katz’s soft horns via the stylish delivery, while “Night Time” is quite bare, and welcomes Chris Roy’s soft bass and Ron Alan Cohen’s atmospheric guitar that makes for the album’s most vulnerable moment.
Near to the end, “Madelyne Why” is a crisp and inviting folk-rocker that showcases Garlin’s expressive pipes, and “Ocean Meets The Sky” exits with Beth Goodfellow’s skilled drumming amid Jason Soda’s flowing guitar and the emotive singing.
A highly literate and melodic affair, Garlin knows her way around a song you won’t soon forget, and the excellent players in attendance only solidify this as a first rate folk record.
Travels well with: Jefferson Berry- Dreams Of Modern Living; Cabin Dogs- On The Creek