SISTER KINDERHOOK

Perhaps the recent birth of Melora Creager's child has stimulated her nesting and nostalgic urges, or maybe this collection of songs is simply a logical progression in her musical road-less-traveled. In either case, Rasputina have delivered a solid score with 'Sister Kinderhook' the band's seventh album ("Kinderhook" being Dutch for 'the children's corner' or something like that, not to mention a fomer American Indian enclave in upstate New York where Creager now makes her home).

Once again the lineup has changed slightly, consisting now of 2nd chair cellist Daniel DeJesus who also appeared on Creager's 2008 live recording 'Melora a la Basilica'; along with percussionist and former punker Catie D'Amica who offers some appealing range much welcomed for a band trying to fill up an entire album (nay, an entire career) with music consisting mostly of cello arrangements and vocals. No small task, but Creager and her protégés pull it off handsomely.

This is a theme album of sorts, ostensibly centered on subjects related to Colonial America although with a few deviations (most notably the very catchy "Holocaust of Giants"). And as with their prior work, history is portrayed in all its dubious glory, warts and all as with the creepy banjo-driven tune "Snow-Hen of Austerlitz", a tale of little Miss Lynn the feral offspring of a blind hermit lady; and the deceptively jaunty "Calico Indians" describing the plight of oppressed native Americans acting up in mid-19th century rural New York state.

But I mention the nesting thing because there are a few songs here that project the same sort of raw sentiment of artists such as Dawn McCarthy's Faun Fables in her own post- partum release 'A Table Forgotten': "The 2 Miss Leavens" is a thematic cousin of McCarthy's somber yet touching "Pictures", and "This, My Porcelain Life" which shares a kinship with "Forgotten", recorded by the Gathering as Anneke Van Giersbergen was working her way out of the band after the birth of her own child.

There are some lighthearted moments as well, including the folksy instrumental "Olde Dance" or a succinct synopsis of The Struggle in the form of a sort of sea shanty titled "Humankind, as the Sailor".

In short though Creager has assembled an effective and complementary pair of companions who deliver the band's most consistent and appealing release to-date, and an optimistic sign that the best lies yet ahead for Rasputina. A hearty four out of five stars and highly recommended.

peace

The only true spice girl in town.

I groaned when this album popped up at the top of my to-review list. But I was in for a positive surprise. Melora Creager reminds me a lot about a Alanis Morissette and Edie Brickell in her vocals. Add the bravery and musical attitudes of Kate Bush too. Music wise, this is totally different kettle of fish though.

Music wise, this album is very much based on cello, other acoustic instruments and the voice of Melora Creager. They are the whole album here. Style wise, the music is a blend of folk music from at least four corners of the world and simple, but very effective folk songs. I detect a lot of influences here. Most of all, the songs are the creations of Melora Creager. In short; they need to be heard to be believed. And that is a compliment, btw.

This quality is good throughout. The title track is the best song. But the album never clicks into a higher gear though. It is bumping along. Maybe this music is well outside my comfort zone. But I still likes this album and I would recommend it as a good gift from a male prog rocker to his girlfriend/wife. A perfect gift, it is.

On the basis of this album, I may invest in some more Rasputina albums myself, though....

3 stars