Romi Mayes – Sweet Somethin Steady
Somebody else has doubtless already noticed, but there really is a modern Austin sound. It is effortlessly played, draws deeply from the wells of tradition (blues, country, whatevers called for), and is relentless in its service to a good songwriters words. Though he produced Romi Mayes second album in deepest Winnipeg, Gurf Morlix is quintessential Austin. Because Mayes is 32, Canadian, and frank (see: the title track, or The Other Dame; her protagonists do a lot of settling), she may draw comparisons to Kathleen Edwards, but she writes with more craft and sings with a more durable voice. And for all the brashness of Smoke More Than I Drink (she notes in the liners, I dont know if thats always true. Either way that song title cant be makin mama proud), she is quite capable of subtlety (the concluding Bible). And great clarity: Just cuz Im strong, dont mean that Im happy/Just cuz youre wrong, dont mean that I cant be, she sings on Desperately.