Little Lonely’s Lovely Melodies

Little Lonely

Red Dress Records, 2013

Julie Cain is the singer/songwriter behind Little Lonely and while there’s a country feel here, she’s neither Shania Twain ‘nor Loretta Lynn. No, this is the girl next door who was raised alongside the interstate listening to big rigs roaring past, the lonesome country ballads of Patsy Cline and Buck Owens playing on a well worn jukebox, and the ever present smells of fresh baked apple pie. The sort of places where beef jerky, dashboard Jesus’s, UFO’s and pine scented air freshener’s all get the same amount of counter space. You picture that and you get a clear picture of the images that crowd Cain’s walls and songbook.

On “Top Stair,” Cain’s making excuses for her lover who’s indiscretions are becoming increasingly indiscreet. There’s a great raunchy saxophone coloring this song, getting at the heart of things directly.

“Jesus Is In My Swimming Pool,” is another strong number. Questioning motives, values and meaning, with a great driving alt-country backing track. This is a strong number that ought to pop up on a lot of indie radio stations coast to coast.

“Buttonwillow,” covers a lot of territory. Eddie Rabbit, modern families on the move, The Foxy Lady Tavern and UFO’s. As a picture postcard of somewhere, one could do far worse. Cain shows an extraordinary knack for painting accurate pictures with precious few choice words. She shares her wry observations on her America, with equal parts mischief and nostalgia.

Little Lonely, er, Miss Cain, displays an extraordinary amount of depth here. Don’t mistake her softer sounds for a submissive stance. She has much to say, but isn’t the sort to shout about it all. This quieter stance is part of her seductive charm.

www.littlelonely.com