A bubbly debut of note
Natalie Prass
“Natalie Prass”
(Space Bomb/Columbia)
Virginia-based Prass’ debut album was released four months ago, which may as well be a decade in the scheme of things.
Nine effervescent songs that swirl with brass, strings and Prass’ acrobatic voice, “Natalie Prass” surrounds a classic American songsmith with vivid arrangements. She cites Stephen Sondheim, Irving Berlin and Burt Bacharach’s work with Dionne Warwick as touchstones. Producers Matthew E. White and Trey Pollard arranged the record with joyous abandon; strings bounce along with Prass’ vivid phrasing, providing counterpoint musical responses. “Christy” has the vibe of a left-field Broadway betrayal ballad. It features tortured monologues punctuated at regular intervals by the narrator repeating the name of her ex’s new beau: “Christy.” “Natalie Prass” is magnetic and nearly impossible to resist.
Calexico
“Edge of the Sun”
(Anti-)
This country, western, mariachi, Americana, folk, rock and post-punk unit has been releasing albums for 20 years and got its start as a Los Angeles two-man rhythm section for-hire. Their ninth studio album finds the band looking for passageways into new acoustical spaces. It was inspired by a visit to Mexico City, but it’s hardly pastiche. “When the Angels Played” has the tone of “Desire”-era Bob Dylan. A Nashville accent arrives courtesy of the excellent pedal steel player Paul Niehaus on “World Undone.” It sounds like a howling ghost.
Guests including Neko Case, Sam Beam (Iron & Wine) and Spanish singerguitarist Amaro Sanchez add extra heft. Singer-guitarist Joey Burns has a rural lilt to his voice, and he’s using it in new ways.