Mary Lou Lord
Got No Shadow
[Work]
Rating: 8.1
After getting her start playing on the platforms of The T in Boston, Mary
Lou Lord has been easing into the national music scene. Although Lord went
to Berklee College of Music while in Boston, she kept drifting back to the
platforms, sometimes setting up in Harvard Square, eventually earning a
reputation as a tireless performer.
On her first full-length release, Got No Shadow, Lord knows what got
into her. If anyone stood and played this album straight through on a
subway platform, there would be people falling asleep all over the place.
A collection of songs that is solid yet unremarkable, Shadow
was co-written with Nick Saloman, (of Bevis Frond fame). The songs are similar and
familiar, and often sound tired. There are a few flashes of life, like on
the album's first single, "Lights Are Changing," or on the Wilco- esque
"Shake Sugaree".
The instrumentation is smart and comes in 32 flavors, but it's hard. I
don't think a drum and bass DJ could give spark to this album. There are
several guest intrumentalists, including Shawn Colvin, Roger McGuinn,
Elliott Smith, and Beastie Boys keyboardist Money Mark. The performances
are sometimes brilliant, but again, it's hard to overcome the material at
times.
Until Mary Lou Lord finds salvation, her songs may remain quiet little
fables, and there's nothing wrong with that. However, even if Uncle Remus
tied me down and read stories to me, it would eventually get old. If
you're going be operating any heavy machinery, pass on this one.
-Lang Whitaker