Julie Doiron - Loneliest in the Morning

“This Canadian singer/ songwriter has for years doubled as a visual artist, and it shows in her music. Originally released via Sub Pop in 1997, this reissue (with three bonus tracks) is cinematically sparse, each track spinning a new tale and nuanced mood. Doiron’s longing and simple voice is placed front and center, paired with her raw acoustic riffs. Hints of mellotron, pedal steel and piano were contributed by Shouse (of the Grifters) and Howe Gelb, as Doiron holds down the fort with most of the rest of the arrangements. Opener “So Fast” pensively captures the ear while tracks like “Love to Annoy” have their own little tricks to keep the album running like one, long continuous thought. —Katie Hasty”