Catching a Tiger

An object of indie lust ever since her highly emotive covers of songs like Lady Gaga's 'Bad Romance' and Hank Williams' 'Wedding Bells' hit YouTube last year, it would have been easy to dismiss Lissie Maurus before even hearing her sing. But her debut EP – the Bill Reynolds (Band of Horses)-produced Why You Runnin'? – suggested that Sony had got their hands on something special; now, Catching A Tiger, with its country, rock and blues influences, confirms it.
Lissie's powerful, warm voice is bound to draw comparisons with that of another rocking blonde, Stevie Nicks. The single 'When I'm Alone' and album track 'In Sleep', are heavy in terms of atmosphere and guitars, and appear to owe Ms Nicks and co. a debt. That said, in spite of the rollicking guitar solo that closes 'In Sleep' neither track rocks out as much here as they do live.
But while the spectre of Nicks hangs over almost every review of this CD, Lissie's song-writing owes as much to classic Americana, blues and country (the album was recorded in Nashville) as it does to classic AOR. 'Stranger' wouldn't sound out of place were it sung by 60's popstrell April March, while the album's two standout tracks 'Bully' and the Ed Harcourt co-write 'Oh Mississippi' are more like Cat Power. 'Loosen the Knot', meanwhile, comes on like a superior Sheryl Crow.
Ultimately though, it's not about comparisons. Lissie is well on her way to standing proudly alone.