Though the family act has not broken up, Suzzy Roche is out with her second solo album, bearing the unwieldy title Songs from an Unmarried Housewife and Mother, Greenwich Village, USA . And in the Roches' tradition it's a pleasing collection of songs that are often bittersweet in their lyrics. She also draws on songs of a similar mood written by family and friends, including sister Maggie Roche and Jules Shear, who has often worked with the Roches. The mostly acoustic instrumentation for this CD is very tasteful and features many of the same players who were on her debut solo album, Holy Smokes released in 1997, including producer Stewart Lerman, acoustic bassist Paul Ossola, fiddler David Mansfield, and drummer Sammy Merendino. They are joined on the new album by guest vocalists including sister Maggie Roche and a further sister, Lucy, along with Loudon Wainwright and Jules Shear.
Some albums try to make big statements, or at least be loud enough that they seem that way.
Songs from an Unmarried Housewife is just the opposite. Mostly laid-back in its instrumentation and sound, the songs are distinctly personal in nature, pondering relationships and the small incidents between people, from which one can draw larger inferences. The spare musical arrangements and relaxed sound of Ms. Roche's vocals give this CD a quiet, even diminutive quality. The harmonies are all sung by Suzzy Roche. That leads into Looking For God , an interesting set of musings, with a hint of country influence from the steel guitar and Dobro.