Isenor’s third disc—the second in less than a year —is an excellent showcase for his brand of indie-folk and storytelling skills. Especially on songs like the title track, an amusing take down of aimless high school bullies who are hanging around “thinking of ways to be cruel.” The jaunty “Bend in the River” and “Illusions” have that lilting slightly Celtic tone which makes them totally danceable in a slow, swaying kind of way. Standouts are the lovely and charming “Ballad of Emily” and “De Ja Vu,” what with his gently strained, slightly nasal delivery giving more than a few nods toward Ron Sexsmith’s brand of smooth nostalgia.
This article appears in Jan 5-11, 2012.