Lisa Cerbone - Ordinary Days
(Little Scrubby)
The opening guitar strum of "Swallowing Stones" has Red House Painter Mark Kozelek's signature style written all over it, which is only fitting considering he produced and plays guitar on this third release from Cerbone, my fellow New Jersey native and current Baltimore, Maryland resident. But as soon as her helium-voiced, chipmunk warble takes over, it's clear this is not your big brother's Red House Painters album. In fact, the country-tinged, minor-keyed "How You Shine" sounds more like Nicolette Larson covering another Neil Young tune like "Comes A Time" or "Ambulance Blues." So while it may take a few tracks for your brain to adjust to Cerbone's little-girl voice, you'll soon realize you're on to a fresh new talent worthy of your attention.
Highlighted by a romantic, second-set, coffeehouse intimacy, these gorgeous, soulful melodies soar over Kozelek's gentle, finger-picked backing, which thankfully never threatens to run away with the schoolgirl charm of Cerbone's self-penned tunes, although he does roll up his sleeves and break out the effects pedal on "Ruthless Order." Occasionally, as on "Love Grows Slow," Cerbone reminds me of Mary Lou Lord's recent collaborations with Nick (The Bevis Frond) Saloman, both of which are more upbeat, mirror images of this fine collection of folky ballads. But, never one to wallow in self-pity, Cerbone also gives us "Mrs. Foster," one of those "play twice before listening" tracks that you'll want to return to in order to fully appreciate its tear-jerking sentiment. It's also one of several pieces that feature a subtle backing vocal from Kozelek.
Sad, thought provoking, and heartbreakingly beautiful, these ten tracks are guaranteed to put a thousand yard stare on the faces of even the most jaded, thick-skinned listeners.
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