So, for the last couple of weeks I’ve been riding around with Lissie in the car. And no matter how hard I try, I can’t get past second base. Sorry, I meant the second track. I’m not sure if it’s the pounding bass or the hooky repeating guitar line or the chorus that sticks in my head like peanut butter stuck to the roof of my mouth, but whatever it is, I find myself bouncing along to “When I’m Alone” fairly quickly. Don’t get me wrong, the first song, “Record Collector”, has a nice poppy chorus, but track two is definitely the sweetest (not treated, heated, whipped or spun) honey of a hook I’ve heard in a while.
The middle of the album slows down a bit and failed to catch my attention on repeated listens, but picks up steam again around track 8, with the juvenile “Cuckoo” which talks of “skipping school and smoking cigarettes.” Contrasting this track is the next, “Everywhere I Go” a beautiful ballad showcasing Lissie’s vocal range along with a sonic nod to friends Band of Horses. (Bill Reynolds recorded some of the tracks on this album.)
Overall Catching a Tiger is a good listen falling somewhere between polished pop and folk.
RIYL: Driving with the top down, bikini bottoms, warm sun
http://www.fatpossum.com/artists/lissie
About the author: Producer, Engineer, Musician and all around music enthusiast.