Lana Mir, “Lana Mir”(Unfiltered)
It’s easy to fall for Lana Mir, a Ukranian-born singer-songwriter who finds herself a New Yorker as she releases her debut record today. Mir’s an attractive woman, yes, but she’s also a strong writer with an assertive sense of grace.
When she coos “I wanna be adored” in a track of the same name, her desire for love is as honest as anybody’s. When she muses “Never let the summer end” in “Summertime,” it’s clear she understands that distinctly American point of view on the warmer months.
When you see the track “These Days” on her CD, you might get excited to hear her take on Jackson Browne’s great track, which was famously recorded by Nico. In truth, this “These Days” is Mir’s own composition, and it’s a lovely meditation along the same lines as Browne’s song: “These days, I know, they weren’t meant to last forever.”
Mir’s plaintive vocals are smartly countered by lush production. Her songs are bouncy and warm, but they’re also uncomfortably straightforward in their intentions. When Mir starts the CD off with the ’60s- girl-group-inspired “Say You Need Me,” she couldn’t be any more clear about her ultimate desires.
Ricardo Baca
Ray Lamontagne and the Pariah Dogs, “God Willin’ & the Creek Don’t Rise”(RCA)
Ray LaMontagne’s voice is like sea-salt caramel: smooth, thick and sticky, with a little bite. Some people think it’s a bit too much; others can’t get enough. In his previous albums, the Massachusetts-based singer-songwriter has tried different wrappings for that instrument: He’s gone dark and moody; mimicked the manly chug-a-lug of his inspiration Stephen Stills; and put some horns on it, edging into retro-soul.
“God Willin’ & the Creek Don’t Rise” has a natural feel, comfortably ranging from bar-band rave- ups to contemplative acoustic numbers, with master pedal steel player Greg Leisz leading several tracks into the expertly unfussy territory of blue-chip Nashville country rock.
“God Willin’ ” has a lot in common with Robert Plant’s recent country-tinged efforts, as well as the recent project from Dixie Chicks Martie Maguire and Emily Robison, Court Yard Hounds. Like that band, the Pariah Dogs free themselves from genre constrictions pretty much by accident: They’re just very good players with a lot of experience, and they go where it feels comfortable.
Ann Powers, Los Angeles Times
