MAVERICK MAGAZINE gives Stacie Rose a STELLAR review!

MAVERICK MAGAZINE JANUARY 2009

After listening to SHOTGUN DAISY, the question has to be; why would New Jersey singer songwriter Stacie Rose want to be compared to anyone, even such luminaries as Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow and Bonnie Raitt? Her biography cites all three but the inescapable conclusion is that she is a truly unique talent.

She is neither complete folkie nor rock chick, in truth she walks the line between both with the dexterity of a tightrope walker, neither camp could find anything on SHOTGUN DAISY to justify the cry 'sell out'.

Thankfully, she is also a million miles away from the corporate blandness of radio friendly rock, SHOTGUN DAISY is a look at the world through Stacie Rose's eyes and, believe me, she has a completely different way of looking at things. And it's for that reason that you'll either instantly fall under Stacie Rose's spell or she'll leave you cold and unmoved. SOMEHOW SHOTGUN DAISY doesn't come over as the kind of album you'll grow to love.

But there is an undeniably quirky freshness about the music and not just the prosaically titled Mrs Happy Ever After & Me. A more cynical artist would have added all sorts of black arts to commercialise the hook-laden SHOTGUN DAISY but throughout it retains its innocence.

While Stacie Rose neatly dodges genre definition, SHOTGUN DAISY is not a difficult listen, Find Your Way is delicately tinged with rock while Run Out is the kind of song that could restore your faith in the charts were it to be released as a single. It is very easy indeed to take SHOTGUN DAISY to your heart.

Stacie Rose is one of those artists that don't really have to try too hard to stand out. She is a warm and sympathetic singer but she is also blessed with the imagination to make the most of her gifts. That allows her to take Not Listening and make it completely different from its album mates.

If you're looking for suitable comparisons, then the equally individual Bjork and Tori Amos come to mind but in the end it's best to enjoy Stacie Rose on her terms.

MM