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Carolina, & DC

Carol Bui: This Is How I Recover
[Drunken Butterfly]

Carol Bui claims that shes not out there to start a singer-songwriter revolution. Well, thank God! If that were her goal, shed be smack in the midst of a horrible failure. While Buis debut full-length has some potential, it certainly isnt rocking material. From the first electric guitar strums of Hell Banknotes, Bui proves that shes one singer-songwriter who can handle her guitar by herself, but the notion that the album might not be too inspired or inspiring sinks in quickly. Something is missing, and Buis vocal musings and guitar licks are predictable, a tad sparse, and need to pack more punch.

While Bui compares herself to PJ Harvey, Sonic Youth, and Joni Mitchell, these claims are large and dont ring true in most cases. PJ Harvey has always been one to lay it all out on the line, insecurities and all. Lyrically, Bui does attempt such honesty about feelings of inadequacy, but the effect is not nearly as stunning as PJs art. Bui simply fails to bring any great vocal power to the table, and by now, female singer-songwriters baring their insecurities seem all too plentiful and even more tired. Even as Bui claims that she wants to rock you, this suggestion is preposterous amidst the non-artful drone of her guitar, her lyrics that range from all-too-simple to trying-too-hard, and her unremarkable voice. I believe that a friend of mine put it best when after hearing this album for himself he proclaimed, Geez, you could here this kinda stuff for free at the Michigan Womyns Festival. Indeed.

This album can be purchased at the Carol Bui Official Website

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