Adrienne Pierce

Aarik Danielsen

"In a pop marketplace where many successful female artists look and live much differently than their audiences, Adrienne Pierce's "Everywoman" appeal is undeniably refreshing and welcomed. Vocally, Pierce does not display the type of virtuosity that would give the slightest impression of her being egocentric or unapproachable; instead she retains a seasoned quality that makes one believe she has known both tranquility and heartbreak. Plainspoken yet poetic, she writes lyrics which use the everyday to express feelings both universal and complex; her songs have even appeared in television shows whose central characters are portrayed as confident, complicated women; ("Fool's Gold" on Grey's Anatomy and "Lost & Found" on Veronica Mars. Rerecorded versions are found on Faultline).

On the Canadian singer-songwriter's sophomore disc, she identifies and ingratiates herself with anyone who has ever weakened a little in the knees at the prospect of enduring a major life change. In biographical material, Pierce has explained how, in part, the album's title makes reference to being at a place where life is shifting outside the limits of control. Pierce's focus on the turbulent nature of change is understandable, having admittedly experienced a breakup while writing parts of the album. The images used to illustrate such change are pragmatic, expressing neither cavernous depression nor unrealistic hope. In context, descriptions of all night groceries, viewing neighbors from an apartment, losing household items and "sleeping with the television and all the lights on" become effective colors Pierce uses to paint a picture of real people with real problems, trying to make it through a very real life.

Lyrically and thematically, there is no denying Pierce's extraordinary ability to come across as ordinary. Musically, her fanfare for the common woman becomes a bit of a tougher sell. On one hand, Pierce's songs are likely to appeal to a wide audience, sounding as if written at an intersection between a Sheryl Crow greatest hits record (Faultline producer Jeff Trott helped write much of Crow's singles catalog) and the melodic melancholy of Aimee Mann.

Accordingly, the album's best songs are uncomplicated in nature and structure. "Fool's Gold" begins simply enough, with accordion and a distantly strummed acoustic guitar, allowing Pierce the freedom to vocally and lyrically dictate crescendos in the song's musical and emotional dynamic. The title track furthers this technique, allowing the instruments backing Pierce to settle into a relaxed, soulful groove that ably serves her lyrical confession of shortcomings. Another high point, "Lost & Found", has a creative momentum initiated by driving acoustic guitar and augmented by mandolin and an active bass line."