This Hungry Life
From hearty bellowing to subtle and smoky crooning, this pint-sized founding member of Throwing Muses, the Breeders, and Belly sure cansing. The major complaint regarding this album is that it's so short.Hungry Lifewas recorded live in front of an intimate audience in the lobby of an abandoned Vermont hotel, during the hottest summer in ages. The singer-songwriter, who's at times seemed uncomfortable and tentative in live performance, is far from either here. Donelly's ease in her Ida-esque, plaintive country-rock has never seemed more apparent. The arrangements sound full and fleshed-out throughout; it's frequently easy to forget the songs were recorded live until the audience members chime in at the end. The string-heavy, soulful take on the Beatles' "Long Long Long" is exceptional, while "Kundalini Slide" is a barn-burner worthy of Neil Young. Yay.--Mike McGonigal