On her latest album, indie-rock songstress and one-time Jeff Buckley band mate Joan Wasser (aka Joan As Police Woman) deftly applies her talent for crafting sharp and colorful lyrics over rich melodies infused with gospel, jazz and R&B influences. Her engaging range is well-represented here as her voice darts from smoky sultriness to jagged urgency and sounds like she was born from a union of Billie Holiday and Van Morrison, especially on the gorgeous “Anyone.” Wasser’s supple piano playing and songwriting easily ranks with those of her mainstream contemporaries, especially in the bouncy hook of “Save Me” and the confident R&B jumper “I Defy,” complete with back-up vocals by Antony Hegarty of Antony and The Johnsons. Ben Perowsky’s drums and Rainy Orteca’s bass provide perfect support as JAPW moves with confidence through these ten quirky and unique songs, and the breadth of influences and consistently successful execution of songs make Real Life one of this year’s true stand-out albums.
--John Frusciante
