Pierce Pettis
Everything Matters
Compass Records

It's been a while since I've heard a new Pierce Pettis. I kind of forgot how much I like him. His voice reminds me of an old folk fave, Eric Anderson. Nice, light, almost soothing. This CD is like that, too, and I mean that in a good way. The first couple of songs start off with a good percussion back-beat - the kind I like, not the tacky drum tracks that distract from the music. Track 3, however, dances just this side of irritating with the percussion. I like the song "Just Like Jim Brown (She Is History)," a slow, melancholy ballad. I would like it much better without the drums.

He writes lyrics that from many other artists would seem pushy, or just plain trite. A song called "God Believes In You" would generally strike me as bullshit. He makes it spiritual, and pure, and I believe.

I think my favorite track is "My Little Girl," dedicated to his daughter, Gracie. There's nothing more overwhelming to me than a father expressing love for his children. This is a beautiful song on all counts.

The overall sound of the CD is mellow folk. A guy, a guitar, some percussion and a few strings thrown in for good measure. If simple lyrics and feel-good sound are what you're looking for, I'd say you've struck Album.

-Kate Rice

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