Music Street Journal - Music News & Reviews

Hope Dunbar Three Black Crows Review by Gary Hill This is a cool disc. I would say that Hope Dunbar's biggest strength is her ability to write great lyrics. That's not to say that her vocals or music are weak. In fact, that's not true at all. It's just that her lyrics are so good. Her music lands somewhere in the vicinity of folk meets country music. All in all, this is a successful set. This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2018 Volume 1 at garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2018.

Track by Track Review

Charlottetown Energy and roots music based, this has plenty of country and folk music in the mix. It's a catchy number that leans toward a long lost era. The lyrics fit that style, too.

Three Black Crows The title track is more intricate and tied to bluegrass music.

The Shooter Less of a country edge to this, the cut is basically pure folk music. The lyrics seem quite contemporary. This is classy with some cool Americana building in the arrangement later.

She Keeps Going A sad (yet somehow empowering) cut, this is a nice slice of life. It's folk music and based on the modern age, but also has a timeless vibe to it.

I Write Another with real slice of life lyrics, this has some hints of country music built into it. It's a folk rocker, with the rock part coming a bit later in the track.

Living After Losing This is a sad ballad. It's pretty and melancholy. It's another slice of life number. It's more pure folk music.

Revolver While this isn't a big change, it's another strong cut on the strength of the lyrics. I love the section with multiple layers of vocals on this.

Admit It Somehow this song almost feels like a cross between Rickie Lee Jones and Tracy Chapman to me. It's a bit more energetic and has a bit of a groove to it.

Jeneane Energized and rocking, this is a nice change of pace. Some of the picked guitar brings some country to the proceedings. This is one of the most modern sounding things here.

Riverside Folk with some country in the mix, this is mellower and quite pretty.

Better Than Ever with Darrell Scott The backing vocals add quite a bit to this cut. It's a tasty folk turned country styled number. There is a lot of emotion and style in the mix.

Losing Sleep Here we have a stripped back cut. The music seems more folk oriented while the vocals seem quite country oriented. I like this tune, but I'm not sure it was the best choice to end the set. Perhaps this should have been switched with the cut that preceded it to make for a stronger release.

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