Perfect City

Artist: Florence Dore
Label: Slewfoot
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 809812080923
EAN: 0809812080923
ASIN: B00006369M

Release Date: 2002-05-07

Perfect City

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Tracks:

Early World
Perfect City
No Nashville
Framed
Christmas
Everything I Dreamed
Postcard
Brain
Say The Thing
Wintertown (Ode To Kent, OH)

Amazon.com

Billy Joe Shaver managed to write some of the world's greatest songs with just a "good Christian raisin' and an eighth-grade education." Still, in her bio and press, much is made of Florence Dore's college professorship and her specialty in Faulkner. She has been compared to Lucinda Williams, but lacking a musical resemblance (Dore rocks much harder), it might rather be the press picking up on the latter's scholarly parentage. Fortunately, for the most part Dore's songs owe more to an early epiphany at a Johnny Cash show than anything she might have picked up in grad school. The catchy hooks and rhythmic groove of her lyrics and singing are likely the product of good musical instincts and talent, not anything she learned in the halls of academe. A song like "No Nashville" paints a simple picture of family dynamics in the tradition of the best country music. Throughout <I>Perfect City</I>, her band rocks and twangs with infectious energy. Unfortunately, the mix obscures Dore's singing much of the time, and lacking a lyric sheet, we get only glimpses of her vocal and lyric talents. From what is audible, it is easy to hear that Dore's "learnin'" doesn't get in the way of her songwriting. Though it may not be perfect, this is a city worth visiting. <I>--Michael Ross</I>

Customer Reviews:

Decent Country-Rock Debut.......2003-03-02

Florence Dore's "Perfect City" is the kind of debut album that leaves you somewhat hungry, but salivating in anticipation of what the artist might do next. At her best she is very good, as she particularly shows on the haunting "Christmas," a song unlikely to be featured on any holiday specials any time soon. Dore has a decent voice and is backed by a capable twangy rock band. Other standouts on the album include "Early World" and "No Nashville." On the downside, the production is murky at times and the CD booklet contains only a few scant pages of information. Given the occasional lack of vocal clarity, a lyrics sheet would have been a big help.

Overall, an intriguing debut by an artist who seems capable of bigger and better things.

Hidden Treasure.......2002-08-01

I became aware of this artist while listening to a public radio station out of New York. I liked the title track and read positive reviews so I bought the CD. What a pleasant discovery. I smile every time I put on this CD. I can't find one disappointing song on the album. It's good from start to finish. The last time I happened upon an artist I knew so little about and liked so much was when I bought "In My Tribe" by 10,000 Maniacs. I hope more people find out about this talented woman.

Impressive country-rock debut from Nashville-born songwriter.......2002-07-18

Though the Nashville-born Professor Dore (Ph.D. 1999, UC Berkeley; post-doc NYU; Kent State faculty) is known in academic circles for her work in American literature (most especially for her studies of William Faulkner's writings), her country-rock songs are anything but bookish. Her mix of narratives and poetic sightseeing bring to mind Lucinda Williams, while the catchiness of her presentation harkens to the breakthrough hits of Mary-Chapin Carpenter. But in contrast to Carpenter's folky beginnings, Dore starts with rock 'n' roll and leavens it with the introspection of folk, the twang of country, and the soul of blues.

Dore first came to national attention with her song "Christmas," recorded in 1996 by The Posies, a Seattle-based powerpop outfit. The down-tempo tune, revisited here, provides an inner dialog of resignation on a lonely Christmas day. Dore's hometown conjures up the big-city longing in "No Nashville," but the song's examination of adult children's family tensions works well beyond its Tennessee hill-country setting. Dore's academic life show up fleetingly in the title track and the closing ode to Kent, OH, "Wintertown." The band turns upbeat for "Brain" and "Everything I Dreamed." The former borrows a Beatles riff and adds a twangy baritone guitar lead, the latter's rockabilly sound features guitarist Chris Erikson's flashy flatpicking and duet vocal.

Producer Eric "Roscoe" Ambel (Bottle Rockets, Blood Oranges) brings his experience as a rock and roots-rock guitarist with the Blackhearts and Del Lords to balance the backings with the punchy drumming of ex-Smithereen Dennis Diken, acoustic and electric guitars, as well as touches of organ and piano. Combined with Dore's writing, and the years of gigging that preceeded recording, this debut is more highly accomplished than one would expect from a "new" artist.

3-3/4 stars, if Amazon allowed fractional ratings.

Hard to Find Fault with this CD.......2002-05-15

I recently received a sampler of Americana music featuring artists I had never heard of. One song, "Christmas," by Florence Dore blew everything else on the CD away. After purchasing "Perfect City" I was pleased to find that song was the rule, rather than the exception. One of the best CDs of 2001.

Sounding something like a cross between Stevie Nicks and Natalie Merchant, Florence writes intelligent songs that are infused with just the right amount of twang and heartbreak. Apparently she has a doctorate in American Literature or something. But what really propels this release is the tremendous energy provided by the rhythm section of bassist Scott Yoder (this guy keeps showing up on great releases) and especially drummer Dennis Diken.

Highlights include the rockin' title track (a wonderful approximation of Pete Townsend-like guitar riffs), the aforementioned Christmas, No Nashville, Say The Thing, Early World, Postcard and Brain. The entire affair could benefit from a lyric sheet, as Dore's voice is too far back in the mix on many songs.

When Florence sings "it's colder in this house than anywhere in Boston. That's okay--Christmas means little to me," you just might find yourself reaching for the thermostat.

For City and Country Folk both. . . ........2002-01-18

Heck, this is a sweet recording. Florence Dore sure can soar. Okay, sorry for that, but it's true. This is top-shelf stuff
right here. Smart writing, filled with hooks and wit. Exquisite singing. Tight band. This cd is more fun than stolen money.

Music Album:

Music Album

Music Album

Music

Halfway 'Til Dawn ~ Philippe Saisse

Mode for Mabes ~ Eric Alexander

Wanderin': Swing and Sway With Sammy Kaye ~ Sammy Kaye

First Miles ~ Miles Davis

Quelqu'un de L'interieur ~ Frances Cabrel

Sugar Cane ~ Rafael Aragon

Mitten Ins Herz ~ Stefan Waggershausen

Rare & More Collection V.3 ~ Tigers

Ancestry in Progress ~ Zap Mama

Os Melhores Das Serestas ~ Various Artists