It takes some courage to title a new song “Promised Land” in 2008. Carolyn Striho’s “Promised Land” isn’t the best track on her new four-song EP. It may be the one, however, that best expresses its message via its mood in no uncertain terms. It isn’t at all reminiscent of Springsteen’s hope-in-the-face-of-despair anthem in its tone, nor even the more cynical but still humorous (humor = hope) “Promised Land” by one Mr. Chuck Berry as covered by Elvis Presley and thousands of others over the years. Striho’s “Promised Land” is dissonant electro-pop, with frightening stream-of-consciousness lyrics, appropriate for the zeitgeist following eight years of Bush. But it rocks nevertheless. And rock can also mean hope — even at this late date.
Is This Me? is exceptionally good. The internationally renowned Detroit artist’s voice is, at turns, warm, rich, idiosyncratic and, at times, just plain (in a good way) eccentric. “Tiara” opens things on a violin-driven, downbeat, almost mournful but still melodically beautiful note. The appropriately titled “Ocean” is so Patti Smith influenced in its trippiness and mid-song chanting that it almost could be Patti Smith. And that’s meant as a compliment — a big one. “Enchante” opens with a calliope-driven instrumental musical interlude before the lyrics kick in and it becomes a clash between the sounds of Barnum & Bailey and gypsys, tramps and thieves.
Good stuff. Four-and-a-half out of five, only because it leaves you wanting to hear more from this Motor City maven.
Bill Holdship is the music editor of Metro Times Send comments to [email protected].
This article appears in Feb 27 – Mar 4, 2008.