All Categories
A Crash Course in Roses finds Boston-based singer-songwriter Catie Curtis streamlining the sound that made her 1997 self-titled release a critical breakthrough. Eschewing lush string and horn arrangements, she allows her songwriting and singing to take center stage on this 13-song set of midtempo, acoustic-flavored folk-pop. An excellent group of musicians (including Morphine drummer Billy Conway) create an intimate backdrop for Curtis's warm, enticing voice. The spare, no-frills arrangements complement the simple honesty of love songs such as "Gave Me Love" and "Magnolia Street." While Curtis clearly works the same musical and emotional terrain as Shawn Colvin and Mary Chapin Carpenter (who sings backup vocals here), she lacks their lyrical and musical bite. These are pretty songs and, taken together, they make for a pretty--though not exceptional--collection. --Percy Keegan