Eliza Gilkyson
counts herself among the cadre of
contemporary singer/songwriters
who mix thoughtful lyrics and
folk
roots to create a heady combination of
poetry
and music. Her vocal style, a quiet whisper with a gritty edge, adds a bit of depth to her musical vision, while her revolving door of musicians on
Land of Milk and Honey
lays down a relaxed foundation.
Gilkyson
, like other musical poets in the post-9/11 world, has serious things on her mind, and it's hard to imagine that a title like
is meant to be read straight.
"Hiway 9"
gives the album an ominous start, with elliptical references to the Middle East, oil, and tax dollars going to God knows where. Unlike a number of left-leaning songwriters,
seems content to never quite spell out what she means.
"Wonderland,"
a tryst without commitment, seems equally dark on the surface, and
's vocal recalls
Lucinda Williams
' carnal confessions on
Essence
. The difference, though, is that
"Wonderland"
's rhythm is infectious, and the band takes the song at such an upbeat pace that a tryst, while not love, is not bad.
's fans will find
another solid effort by one sharp and incisive writer with a distinct voice. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford Jr.