COSY SHERIDAN
Pretty Bird
Waterbug 0116
* * * *
For every ten parents who name their kids something inane
like Sunflower or LaToya, there's a rare couple that gets it right. Count Cosy
Sheridan's folks among the latter; I can think of no better way of describing
Sheridan's music than by invoking her given name. As in past projects, Pretty Bird is an album that just feels
comfortable and inviting. That's in part because Sheridan has never been afraid
to expose her emotions or to put herself forward without pretense. Among the
subthemes of this album is the pruning of a long-term relationship and the
budding of a new one. Pretty Bird is
also typical in that Sheridan mixes things up. The title track, for instance,
has decided Appalachian influences, while a song such as "Welcome to
Boston" is lounge jazz snarky. And if that doesn't span enough turf for
you, check out "Rise Out of the Water," her take on the relationship
between Arthur and Guinevere. Sheridan's albums also have a way of lulling you
to a–dare I say it?–cozy place until you hear a sharp line that snaps you to
attention. What better way to describe the way that we must sometimes just
endure life's disappointments than the simple, "I hold back, I drive on?"
Or the poignancy of coping with regret and sorrow than "I sing I'm sorry/I
sing goodbye?" I'm also rather fond of her line, "No matter where we
live/We all move on." Writing such as this may score low on the epic poetry
scale, but it pushes the honesty meter into the red zone. Sheridan always
leaves us in a good place. "The Sandman's Ride" is the perfect way to
end this taut ten-track CD–a waltz time lullaby. Rob Weir
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