The Corner Laughers

Temescal Telegraph

Big Stir Records

The follow up to the excellent Matilda Effect is folk-rock/modern pop-rock so light and nimble on its feet that it carries you away. The music is expertly played, and lead singer/songwriter Karla Kane’s smooth, happy vocals are wonderful. Her ukulele is indispensable.

Most of these songs are feminist, such as “Sisters Of The Pollen” celebrating a sisterhood of bees, happily working together. There are two songs about life, death, and rebirth: “Wren In The Rain” is about winter, as death, turning to spring and rebirth, summer life, and fall, when it ends again. “Lord Richard” is a eulogy to a turkey vulture. Even as this is an American band, the songs feel very British, in a Fairport Convention sort of way, especially “Skylarks of Britain,” with lyrics like “Rosie Abbot has a rabbit in the library/cozy habits surround her.”

This is one of the best albums I’ve heard all year, and a must-hear for those who love folk-rock, guitar pop, and modern pop-rock. Pick up Matilda Effect and Karla’s solo debut as well.

Andrea Weiss