In the space of a mere two albums, Anne McCue has established a powerful presence, emerging as a singer/songwriter with a deft literary perspective and an easy, engaging allure. Koala Motel is an expressive musical journal filled with vivid dialogue, an articulate narrative that details the struggles of staying in love and keeping a connection in an increasingly disconnected world. Given an assist from such illustrious guest stars as Lucinda Williams, John Doe, Heart’s Nancy Wilson and Jim Lauderdale, the Australian-born McCue provides an expressive set of songs that provide the template for her poignant reflections and searing observations. “Driving Down Alvarado� sets the mood with its breezy, driving delivery, before segueing seamlessly into the effervescent lilt and blithely winsome rhetoric of “From Bakersfield To Saigon� (“From Bakersfield to Saigon/Everyone’s singing the same old song/From Campbell Town to Beirut /Everyone’s hopping to the same old groove�). McCue intensifies her stance with the rocking, riveting “Hellfire Raiser� and the didactic pulse of “Any Minute Now,� but the album reaches its emotional peak with the weary afterglow of “Bright Light Of Day� and the hushed, contemplative repose of “Coming To You.� Aching and emotional, Koala Motel provides just the place for a sensual encounter.
Lee Zimmerman
Release date: September 19, 2006
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