Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers: Starlight Hotel (Signature/Border)

 |   |  1 min read

Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers: New Mexico
Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers: Starlight Hotel (Signature/Border)

Les alt. than country, Zoe Muth from Seattle invites favourable comparisons with Eilen Jewell and early Emmylou Harris, and a whole host of Nashville writers who are smart enough to still have their hearts in the honky-tonks.

These are pedal steel and mandolin stories which cut out the fat and get right down to the sad and lonely bones of heartache or true friendship, or kick along with that world weariness which suits Muth's slightly drawled vocal style so well.

Some have likened her to Lucinda Williams but that seems a stretch, there are times here when she best recalls classic Dolly Parton in the eloquent simplicity of her lyrics, or even Kris Kristofferson (Harvest Moon Blues). And she isn't without wit either.

If I Can't Trust You With a Quarter (How Can I Trust You With My Heart) is a honky-tonk angel, juke-box honey whose musical taste is far superior to the man trying to pick her up.

There's also rural folk here as on the lean Tired Worker's Song which again ideally suits her worn-down delivery: "I'm tired of all this anger, broken dishes and alarm clock, my heart is breakin', breakin' with the thought of losin' you . . . I think it's time for a change."

And  the band are superb and understated throughout. 

Their self-titled debut in '09 was voted one of the top albums of the year by No Depression readers and Modern Acoustic named her New Artist of the Year in '10.

This one confirms those accolades in 10 refined songs which come from, and go to, straight to the heart.

Like the sound of this? Then try this.

Share It

Your Comments

Clive - Jul 30, 2011

Good work Graham bringing Zoe to everyones attention.She is the real deal and its great to see kids like her and Eilen Jewell using great sidemen some of which are as old as you and I.She is a mate of Eilens,also a stablemate on Signature Sounds,they toured the South together back in May and Zoe sings on Eilens new record "Queen of the Minor Key" .Her influences come out of her Dads (and my )record collection-being among others,Lucinda,Springsteen,Dylan and the Carter family.I have sent away for her first CD and cant wait to receive.

post a comment

More from this section   Music at Elsewhere articles index

Over the Rhine: The Long Surrender (GDS)

Over the Rhine: The Long Surrender (GDS)

After a series of fine albums, Ohio's Over the Rhine here -- with sympathetic producer Joe Henry – deliver their most sophisticated album to date, one with an ear on their European-cabaret... > Read more

Ry Cooder: My Name is Buddy (Warners)

Ry Cooder: My Name is Buddy (Warners)

Albums under Ry Cooder's name once only sold in the hundreds. But these days -- through high profile soundtracks such as Paris, Texas, The Long Riders and Trespass, internationally acclaimed work... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

GUEST WRITER SARAH JANE ROWLAND sees power corrupt in stark black and white

GUEST WRITER SARAH JANE ROWLAND sees power corrupt in stark black and white

Robert Rossen’s tightly directed 1949 drama All The King’s Men is a story of the moral and political corruption of an honest hick swayed by an unchecked ego and greed for power. It is... > Read more

DIANE HILDEBRAND: EARLY MORNING BLUES AND GREENS, CONSIDERED (1969): But what's the genre, Jac?

DIANE HILDEBRAND: EARLY MORNING BLUES AND GREENS, CONSIDERED (1969): But what's the genre, Jac?

Some of the albums Elsewhere has pulled from the shelves at random for a consideration are a mystery: when, how – and often, why – was that acquired? However this oldie by a... > Read more