Okay, I admit it: I watch American (and Canadian) Idol. With the sound on. And it's not (exclusively) to see what shade of black Simon's Teeny Tiny T is this week. But no sirree, I'm no Idle Idol Idolizer. I partake in this particular phenom for cultural and linguistic purposes. Really. I'm trying to decipher the venom-laced version of Simon Says, in particular his rampant accusations that some contestants sound "old-fashioned".

After listening to Bird On A Wing Liza (Oxnard, though she seems to prefer simply Liza) I finally understand what Simon means. But in the case of Liza, it's not an accusation but an accolade. Though seemingly barely in her twenties, Liza's tone, approach and even her measured phrasings harkens to a musical era populated by the likes of The Carpenters, with shadings The Mamas and the Papas---but with subtle country underpinnings (as with recent Sheryl Crow CDs). Again, my personal take on Liza's talent is about as far removed from a criticism as Amy Whitehouse is from auditioning for British Idol.

The opening cut ("Take Me Back") in particular exudes a timeless warm, golden quality that explodes into a flurry of deep-seated emotions---the type that a only a singer-songwriter can convincingly evoke. (Indeed, all cuts on this cd were either written or co-written by Liza).

From here on out, Liza peels away layer after layer, revealing sincerity and artistic courage (how else would you describe the use of pedal steel, wine glasses, pots and pans, particularly in "Gone Tomorrow", without crossing over into the enticing land of countrified self-parody?).

There's no fancy-shmancy electronic wizardry, no sampling, no sandwiching or stealing here: just honest, campfire-like unpretentiousness minus the corny or cow-pokey musical markers. And if the lyrics strike listeners as a tad rose-colored, well, so be it. If Colby Calais can rocket up the charts by describing the journey of bubbles from her toes to her head, then surely Liza can be forgiven for sharing sentiments about her grandmother. Forgiven? Make that applauded. Grandmas in general are a wholly underrepresented group (save for Little Red Riding Hood's granny, whom, it must be said, could likely have benefited from a facial, a pair of tweezers and industrial-strength Whitestrips if her own granddaughter couldn't immediately tell her apart from a four-legged imposter). What better way to herald, thank or recognize such inspirational relatives than through song?

And though Liza's strength as a solo artist obviously merits a thumbs' up, her ability to "play nice with others", also merits mention on her musical report card. Thanks to background/harmonies of Erik Deutsch and Aaron M. Snyder, there's a sweet, natural meshing of vocals on "Home For My Heart" that leans towards the husky/sultry sounds of a Tom Petty or Jackson Browne.