Highlights: No One To Call, Waitin’, Only A Clown, Silver Sings,
Menagerie
I missed out on the lady’s
2010’s debut, but after hearing The
Stand-In I realise it may have been a terrible oversight. The Stand-In is such a wonderful album.
From sparkling, lush production to masterful, confident songwriting – this is
alternative country with attitude. Romantic, but also desperate and bittersweet.
Above all, though, this is
a pop record, and a ridiculously consistent one at that. One catchy, expertly
sung (Caitlin’s voice has all the romantic edge you need from this kind
of music) track after another. Sentimental, almost old-fashioned
ballads like “Pink Champagne” get mingled with uptempo pop gems like the
irresistible “Menagerie”. Mostly, though, you get something in between – like my
personal favourite, “Only A Clown”, that tightens its grip on you with its
opening slide guitar and never lets go.
A sad song dressed in upbeat, faux-happy clothing, it’s an undeniable classic. Caitlin does that on “Silver Sings” (which starts like a George Harrison song - or am I confusing it with something else?), another one of the album's numerous highlights. It’s also great to know she penned them both all by herself. Impressive.
Classy, stylish album –
just check out the closing, authentic-sounding “Old Numbers” that you could
probably hear at a cabaret half a century ago. Hell, maybe earlier. And again,
I’m pleased with how consistent it all this. Even the songs that sounded
unremarkable initially (“Golden Boy”, for instance) have revealed themselves as
strong, memorable, articulate. I really can’t praise this album enough; that’s
a high 8. Highly recommended.
8/10
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