(Enclave)
Lucky Shoe is one of those rare releases that showcases phenomenal talent, excellent production, and true originality. Like The Story's Grace in Gravity and Lisa Germano's On the Way Down From Moon Palace, September 67 has seemingly come from nowhere with a tender, strange, and beautiful album.
Comparisons to The Story and Lisa Germano are not a casual observation. September 67 shares the "girl group" moniker with both and shares the two groups tendencies for exotic melodies and harmonies. September 67 features Shannon Worrell and Kirstin Asbury. Like the original lineup of The Story, Worrell writes most of the music and Asbury adds additional vocals and percussion. Like Germano, the sound is essentially homespun and minimalistic. The vocals are fragile and recall a little girl who's smoked one too many Camels and had her heart broken one too many times.
Lucky Shoe is a subdued concoction of bluesy tales and sad stories. Both ladies are from liberal arts backgrounds and Worrell's ability to weave tales is reminiscent of The Innocence Mission's Karen Petis. September 67's unique vocal and musical arrangements are refreshingly simple and direct. One or two instruments are all the band needs to create a whirling beat and compelling melody. The production is to be commended and comes from none other than John Morand and Cracker's David Lowrey.
The bottom line is that there are some who must have September 67 in their collection. Fans of quiet girl bands with sonic depth must seek this album out now. After that, all that's left is to pray Worrell will be smart and avoid the breakup and downward spiral of Ms. Brooke and The Story.
