Laura Veirs
Saltbreakers
(Nonesuch)
If there was any justice in the world of mainstream music, Laura Veirs would kick Avril Lavigne from the spotlight. Saltbreakers deftly delivers a well-rounded handful of songs. The faithful guitar that bulwarked her earlier material is largely replaced by a rock band and electronic polish. The album is also schizophrenic, casting wistful glances back to her humble singer-songwriter roots in “Cast a Hook” and “Nightingale.” Regardless of the direction Veirs chooses, the album never misses a beat. Whether she conducts a band or sings with her guitar, the result is never inconsonant and begs the question: why is this woman not more popular?
Laura Trethewey
This article appears in Dec 6-12, 2007.
