A South Shore songbird who’s played many a Halifax show, Laura Merrimen offers a debut album full of her own songs, with solid support in producer Brad Conrad and a band that includes screechy guitar from Don Hache. At times the breathlessness of Kathleen Edwards and drawl of Lucinda Williams is evident in her voice. Merrimen may still be forging an identity---despite a few predictable rhymes and borrowed licks, her vivacious delivery shines within country music’s snug borders. “Stand Alone” is a fully realized composition and a good slow dance. The shuffle numbers are superb for driving and singing along.