Suzy Callahan: Freedom Party For Insects

Judging by the highbrow pop saturating title track, it’s difficult not to think that Suzy Callahan has been tutored by Neko Case on the discography of The Moody Blues. Callahan’s strong but soft pipes give the medieval-sounding number its depth despite the lyrics being a bit odd and quirky. It’s a nice introduction to her work which veers between Brit-folk and coffeehouse singer-songwriter as is the case with “Hard on Us” and the adequate but unspectacular “God of Heartache”. Far better is the barren and bleak “Never Lonely in Austin” which highlights her voice, her strong lyrics and a light, airy arrangement. Callahan doesn’t stray from her strengths but the departure she offers with “I Built a House for Frank Lloyd Wright” pays off in spades, resembling a cross between Case and Lucinda Williams. Although clocking in at 30 minutes, Callahan maximizes the quality here with the short and tender “Mr. Right” and the interesting rock-meets-roots of “We Have a History”.