Don’t let Marianne Keith’s youthful appearance on the cover of her latest album “Cathartic” fool you. For the songs inside feature a mature songwriter who is adept at embracing different genres and making them her own. Songs like the jangly “Meant to Be An Angel,” or the boozy “Flood,” or the country-tinged “Your Touch,” are three of the standout 15 tracks on her second album. Her first album, “Beautiful Distraction," was released in 2007.
Because of the Southern Californian’s ability to excel in different genres, Keith, who says she exudes a folk/rock/pop vibe, has been able to tour with artists such as Better Than Ezra, Glenn Tillbrook of Squeeze and blues rocker Joe Bonamassa. It also makes “Cathartic” a well-rounded listening experience. “Unspoken,” is a catchy hook-laden song that will bring a smile to Cheap Trick fans. The haunting acoustic ballad “Las Vegas” is equally effective but for completely different reasons.
What makes the album so impressive is that most of it doesn’t sound forced. She’s not writing in different genres just for the sake of doing so, but because it genuinely sounds like she enjoys stretching her abilities. If there’s a song that does sound forced, it’s the power ballad “Everyone Warned Me,” which features a cascade of over-the-top lead guitars. Thankfully, the mood shifts abruptly with breezy “Everyone Leaves,” evoking early Stevie Nicks.
But it’s a small complaint for what is truly a top-notch folk/rock/pop/country/blues/jazz album from top to bottom.
David Rogers can be reached at drogers@cnc.com.
