Emily Beanblossom
moved to Austin, TX after the release of
Pith
, her charming debut album as
Ruby Fray
. The change of scenery brought out different sides of her music on her second album
Grackle
-- named after a bird common to Texas -- some of which are more successful than others.
Beanblossom
foregoes some of
Pith's
playful eclecticism to go deeper into her music's witchy, ethereal aspects. At times,
sounds like a cross between
Kate Bush
and
Stevie Nicks
, especially on "Carry Me Down," where delicate keyboards and backing vocals hold hands with some surprisingly fiery rock. Later, "Photograph" flickers between romantic and creepy as
wails "I'll keep that photograph if you leave now." Tracks such as "Barbara" and "It's Mine" showcase her growing finesse with dynamic shifts as they build from spectral to towering, but occasionally
pithiness is missed. "Grackle," which sounds like it was made out of swirling smoke and black chiffon, is a slow-burning seven minutes laced with graceful strings, but it and "Anthony" (an admittedly nice showcase for
Beanblossom's
vocal chops) just aren't as captivating as the more concise songs. Often,
Ruby Fray's
vignettes, like the
Beach House
-esque bookends "You Should Go" and "Reprise," are more affecting than her epics. Even if
lacks some of
spark, it's a cohesive and often haunting album that gives a clearer idea of what
wants
to be. ~ Heather Phares