antiMusic.com: Dinah Thorpe - Lullabies and Wake-Up Calls

Dinah Thorpe - Lullabies and Wake-Up Calls

.
It's tempting to brand Dinah Thorpe 'the Laurie Anderson of folk music,' simply because she's just a little off the beaten, well warn, path of traditional folk. However, maybe it's more accurate to label what she does as the brave new folk music of the future, instead.

You almost need to expect the unexpected when listening to her third album, Lullabies and Wake-Up Calls. For instance, it's not unusual for Thorpe to break out into a whistle, which she does more than once during this full-length release. She's also not afraid to rap a bit, which she does during the verses of "Time to Try" and also on "Can I See What's In Your Backpack?" Toward the end of "Carsick," Thorpe even transitions into a few lines from the old Peggy Lee hit, "Fever." Much of this album is sonically sparse, which is why the thumping bass line and harmony vocals on "Brick Wall" stand out so beautifully.

If you're looking for someone that sits comfortably next to the Judy Collins MP3s on your iPod, Dinah Thorpe is likely not the best fit for you. However, if you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary that will force you to pay extra close attention, Dinah Thorpe's Lullabies and Wake-Up Calls will reward you with a satisfying, creative listening experience.