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Lucky Boyd's Review of Libby Koch's The Shadow of This Town
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All we ever ask of musicians who release CDs is that they give us everything. We demand that they le...All we ever ask of musicians who release CDs is that they give us everything. We demand that they leave nothing on the editing floor. We expect that what we hear is one hundred percent of what the musician could give us. It seems to be even more frustrating for fans when they get all fired up for a sophomore release only to find that ‘the first album was better’ or ‘this one didn’t measure up.’ It is, however, an extreme treat when an artist gets it right. It is a fantastic experience when a follow-up release does all the things it should. Libby Koch (pronounced ‘coke’) has hit a home run in this department. Libby held nothing back on her first release, expressing passion and emotion in a bare bones release that established her as a formidable songwriter and performer. Her follow-up blazes a path in her career that will elevate Libby’s status in Texas music. Koch pens the lot of this eleven pack, save the one cover of a Robert Earl Keen classic. The album takes only a slight different direction for Libby, but shows a maturation and an evolution that has meant the world to her elevated status. The opening cut, “Lonesome Bound” sets the tone for the disc as Koch blends her folk and country influences into a storytelling collage that leaves the listener refreshed, enlightened, and entertained. Libby lays into a blues shuffle groove on “Texas Saturday” as she offers a cut of her own that would surely be at home performed by Keen, whose cover is the wrap-up track. Equally impressive as Koch’s writing is the fact that she performs most of the instruments on the release. Libby has a distinctive voice, which is like gold in this industry. That being said, I think it will take one or two more releases and a couple of years of touring for Libby to narrow the scope of her expansively talented voice. Doing so will endear her to fans as they will be able to instantly identify her from the first note of any song she sings. It’s something all artists should do, but only a few stick it out long enough to let it happen naturally. The slight changes from the first album to the second are evidence that Libby will easily tackle this necessary task. She is going to be one of those artists who has an ‘early work’ sound that fans will compare and contrast to her ‘later stuff.’ This is something I can’t teach an artist, yet it’s something they have to be able to do on their own, and Libby has already taken the first step. Koch has done all that we ask musicians to do with their recorded projects. She has poured herself wholly into her craft, completely submerging her efforts into the recording and simply bearing it all for her fans. Both live and in the CD player, Texas music fans are warming up to Libby, and she is making an indelible mark on the performing scene. This album is not just a stop gap between performances for her fans, but is rather a project that should be studied and analyzed by those who are poised to become the newest Libby Koch fans. The album doesn’t have all the slick polished tricks that are available to artists in the studio these days, but it does offer an honest, extremely well-collected recording that will serve Libby well as she continues to wedge her way into the elite list of the industry. Yes, we expect so much, and Libby Koch has delivered. For that, the album deserves a listen. For that, Libby deserves a chance to perform her snapshots of life for you. You won’t feel cheated, but rather you will become somehow just a little improved for doing so.
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Libby Koch "The Shadow of This Town"
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It’s only right that true Americana music hails from the South. Carrying the torch is Libby Koch, a ...It’s only right that true Americana music hails from the South. Carrying the torch is Libby Koch, a Houston, TX singer/songwriter that will draw you in with her country, bluegrass, and folk brand of music. Koch has just released the enchanting album The Shadow of This Town and the Texas staple is finally starting to branch out to the rest of the world.
Starting off the record is the captivating song “Lonesome Bound,” which sets the perfect tone with a harmonica. Already the listener will be drawn in. Koch’s voice isn’t soft as it has a rather raspy tone to it, even while she is hitting high notes. “Walk Away” has a driving beat behind it that you will not be able to resist tapping your foot to. One thing the listener will notice about Koch is her Southern accent. It comes out clear in her vocals and it is charming to say the least. It allows her to put a unique twist into her music that doesn’t tire.
“Texas Saturday” brings a dose of kitsch to the album, and it’s not a bad thing, though it tends not to fit into the album lyrically. The words are playful but come off as a bit childish. Telling the story of a Saturday night in Texas, the song takes the seriousness away from the music on the record in general. Picking it back up is the title track, “Shadow of This Town,” which shows Koch’s ability to write a great song. The slow picking of the guitar and brushes used on the drums set the mood for the track and it must sound even more effective in a live setting.
“Still in Love” is a touching piece that comes right from the heart. Lyrics such as “I got a thousand songs to sing you if you stay” come off as romantic and sincere. This is the standout track on this record as it showcases Koch beautifully both vocally and musically. And yes, there is a hint of banjo in there. “Too Damn Hard,” which is a low tempo song, continues to carry on the audacity of what Koch is trying to do. She doesn’t play by any rules but her own, and that is what makes a successful musician. Though the album rarely deviates from the path it was set on, it not only works, but it works well. “Settle Down” brings the energy back up and carries in with that classic harmonica that the listener will hear throughout the record. The down-down-up-up strokes of the guitar add life into a song that could come off as dull otherwise.
“Starting to See” begins with a slide guitar in a haunting tone. A new twist on the album begins when harmonies enter and the sorrowful song about heartbreak invokes the emotion in Koch’s voice. On the other side of the spectrum is “Here By My Side,” which is the complete opposite of having sadness. The track picks up not only vocally but musically with its fast paced tempo in which Libby doesn’t have a second to catch her breath. “Tonight,” continues on this route and will have the listener out of their chair and dancing in no time. Infused with a great deal of country, it will appeal to everyone no matter what type of music they enjoy. It shows another side that we haven’t seen of Koch before but seemingly it fits.
Closing out the album is “Feelin’ Good Again,” which seems like an homage to her entire piece of work. Ending with the same harmonica that carried the album in, Libby Koch managed to make a record that knows almost no boundaries with The Shadow of This Town. She plays by her own rules, and that is what will set her apart from the others and get her through to the top, where she rightfully belongs.
Review by Melissa Nastasi
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
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Libby Koch "The Shadow of This Town"
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Texan Libby Koch digs deep into her musical roots as she produces the entertaining and engaging albu...Texan Libby Koch digs deep into her musical roots as she produces the entertaining and engaging album The Shadow of This Town. Currently based in Houston, Koch could just as easily find herself at home with the top singers and songwriters in Nashville or on stage at the Grand Ole Opry, enchanting audiences with her classic yet personalized approach to modern country music. Mixing traditional influences, there is a tinge of Dolly Parton and Patty Griffin in everything Koch. On The Shadow of This Town, this talented singer-songwriter puts her heart and soul into eleven tracks, producing an album that is as enjoyable to listen to on a car ride as it is on the dance floor.
One of the highlights on the record is “Starting to See.” The song’s laid-back tempo, interesting chord progression and vocal harmonies all combine to provide the perfect introduction to Koch’s work. This type of slow and sultry country music seems to becoming more and more popular these days with Patty Griffin and Allison Krause building their careers in this style. After hearing Koch’s foray into the slower side of country, one can only hope that she continues to write and record more songs of this kind. “Starting to See” is definitely a winner, and is one of the brightest moments in a highlight filled album. Other songs, such as “Tonight” and “Texas Saturday,” showcase Koch’s upbeat side. These songs will have listener’s jumping up to their feet to dance along to the country shuffle rhythms and tap their feet to the deep groove laid down by the singer-guitarist and her band. Besides being fun to get up and move to, these songs are well written from a musical and lyrical standpoint. The lyrics are catchy and memorable, written in a style that allows them to stick with the listener after the record has finished without relying on cookie-cutter formulas. These songs are written from the heart and from personal experience, which is one of the reasons that the album is so successful.
Country music has gotten a bit of a bum rap lately. Long-time fans and newcomers alike have complained that the genre has “sold out” and become too commercial, morphing from the music of the people to Southern-tinged Top 40 pop music. It is artists like Koch that are restoring faith in country music to its fans. She is an artist who loves what she does and this dedication to the art form shines through on each track. Even those of us who wouldn’t think of buying a country record will find themselves smiling along to Koch’s strumming and singing. By shining a light on the classic country sound and injecting her personality to each song at the same time, Koch has produced an album that is timeless in nature, and one that is definitely worth checking out, it won’t disappoint.
Review by Matthew Warnock
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
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Libby Koch "The Shadow of This Town"
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If there ever were such a thing as a country coaster, Libby Koch’s third album, The Shadow of This T...If there ever were such a thing as a country coaster, Libby Koch’s third album, The Shadow of This Town, would be its poster child. Book ended by a roller coaster of emotional love songs (“Lonesome Bound” and “Feelin’ Good Again,” respectively), The Shadow of This Town does not miss an emotional beat. Fans of Lucinda William’s vocal bare intensity á la Car Wheels on a Gravel Road will relate to Libby’s woeful songs about pain, love, regret, and will welcome her soulful vocal delivery.
Album-opener “Lonesome Bound” has the country folk singer doing a Dylan-esque number with harmonica and organ in tow. Its clever hooky refrain about the pain of regret is touched with vocal “coos” that give it gospel edges, and a “folk-ey” core that is 100% Americana. “Hear the sound. When the wheels are turnin but they don’t slow down/I hear the sound. Your voice inside my head/I hear the sound. And I keep replayin’ every word you said/I hear the sound. And I’m lonesome bound.” “Walk Away” does not shift away from the themes of “Lonesome Bound,” pondering regret’s pain through a fast country swinging beat, as if the artist is trying to shake it off through her artistry. It asks the all-important, albeit rhetorical, question “Yes, we’ve all walked away/Why is it so hard to find the perfect thing to say/When we all walk on by/I’ll always wonder why.”
The “beer-and-rodeo” rescue of Texas ode, “Texas Saturday,” is only a short respite from the album’s emotionally sinuous roads. Its bluesy country swing precedes the most heartfelt song on the album, “The Shadow of This Town.” It’s virtually impossible to unglue the latter’s autobiographical context. The song illuminates the importance of never forgetting home; no matter where, the “shadow” always is there in life and in death. Listeners will have no difficulty deciphering its deep and personal narrative nature. It is easily the most impassioned vocal performance on the album and is sure to be a fan favorite.
“Still in Love”’s dobro brings out the “blue” in bluegrass. Its lyrical directness is unfiltered; the singer’s words take off in a heart-to-heart conversation over commitment and still being in love. “Too Damn Hard” is a slow-burner about frustrated lovers delivered as a simple but lovely melody. The gorgeous harmonies in the refrain make the song sparkle while the church-like organ bellows add a bluesy cadence. ”Settle Down” picks up the tempo a few measures and has a rosy optimism embedded in its lyrics. Its melody is shuttled around by a lip-smacking harmonica, as the singer expresses the urge to move forward and to keep the faith that things will work out.
The album’s epiphany on love and commitment awakens on “Starting to See,” which also has the singer’s rich set of vocal harmonies really coming to life, especially during the chorus. “Oh I’m starting to see I gave much less to you than you needed from me.” “Starting to See” would be a perfect addition to a prime-time romance drama episode or movie because of its gorgeous and shimmering pop country chorus. The pent-ultimate track, “Tonight,” unveils a new country coaster path: revenge. The lyrics are scattered with pleasures in deceit: getting back a diamond ring, finding men “just to show that she can” and burning bar rooms down. It’s a feisty and deliberate deviation from the pain and fears of the other songs; and to some listeners, it might be a welcome one! “Tonight” also has the same deliberate shuffle as super-group The Traveling Wilbury’s, “Rattled,” from their 1988 multi-platinum classic, Traveling Wilbury’s Vol I. Album-closer, “Feelin’ Good Again,” (a Robert Earl Keen cover) is filled with hope and the promise of recapturing those tiny moments in the past that were so warm and tender, and yet, unforgettable. Once again, the harmonica’s wail sends emotional currents into the song that only a mouth-harp could capture.
Fans will without a doubt relate to all of the themes captured on The Shadow of This Town. Due to the emotional topography of this record, it should be consumed in multiple listens and enjoyed by fans of downright and unforgiving country rock and Americana. Lucinda Williams and Indigo Girls fans should be warned!
Review by Michael Morgan
Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
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Libby Koch "The Shadow of This Town"
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With seven generations of Texas in her blood and two previous albums to her credit, there is no ques...With seven generations of Texas in her blood and two previous albums to her credit, there is no questioning the authenticity of Libby Koch’s Americana credentials. Her latest album, The Shadow of This Town, is Country before plastic surgery came along and Folk with the story-telling talents of a seasoned troubadour. With the upbeat songs and her stellar band, Libby could smoke any dancehall for hours, and if she took her slower songs and just a guitar to a coffeehouse, she’d be certain to charm the crowd in a matter of minutes.
Twangy harmonica and a driving train rhythm kick off “Lonesome Bound,” immediately drawing the listener into the album with a level of comfortable familiarity that is matched by the freshness of Libby’s honest voice. Her smoky tone and straightforward storytelling combine to form a unique and likeable signature sound as she sings about her need to get away from the endless repetition of the thoughts in her own head and find some perspective. By contrast, the title track of The Shadow of This Town slows the pace down with an old-time banjo melody finger-picked over shuffling drums. A bittersweet, folksy love song, the story winds its way through Libby’s tumultuous, long-term relationship with her hometown. Though she had some times in younger years where she thought that success meant moving away, life perspective has shown her that both the good and bad happened under the shadow of the town, and that ultimately the good it has to offer wins out over the hard times.
A wailing, bluesy harmonica, vamping guitar, and sassy vocals lay Texan pride down thick on “Texas Saturday”, a song celebrating the hard work and partying harder that happens in the Lone Star State. With a promise that “The sun shines brighter and the beer tastes colder, it’s kind of like college but we’re all a bit older, we work all week and then it’s time to play, we have a good time in Texas every Saturday,” it’s easy to imagine that Libby might suddenly have a bunch of requests from her out-of-state friends to come for a long visit. The country waltz “Too Damn Hard” finds Libby questioning a relationship and her role in it. Whether referring to a romance or her relationship with the Divine, the same dynamics apply, allowing the song to work on several levels. While she was willing to go great lengths at first to make a connection, Libby now wonders if the dramatics are really necessary and also if she is actually the one making everything seem so difficult.
The melancholy “Starting to See” brings a crying dobro front and center, and layers vocal harmonies on the choruses that pay tribute to the famous Indigo Girls sound. In the lyrics, Libby’s eyes are opened to the responsibility she carried in the destruction of a relationship. Where each small fault in the past may not have seemed like much on its own, the weight of them all added together was enough to crush her former lover’s spirit. The revelation sends Libby into a spiral of remorse and looking for something else to occupy her mind. Songs like “Still in Love” and “Settle Down” bring out the bluegrass sound with intertwined banjo and dobro rolling over the shuffling rhythm section and fat bass lines. Others tunes such as “Walk Away” and “Tonight” ratchet up the energy with energetic acoustic guitar strumming, scorching electric guitar or harmonica solos and snappy drum tracks. Evoking Johnny Cash’s ”Folsom Prison Blues,” Libby has the opportunity to establish some new bar standards that are sure to get the crowd on their feet every time. The album finishes with a rendition of Robert Earl Keen’s “Feelin’ Good Again,” which serves as both a testament to Libby’s songwriting as well as her ability to make a another’s song her own. The track fits so seamlessly with the rest that one unfamiliar with Keen’s work is not likely to pick it out as a cover before reading the liner notes.
If Libby’s down-home pride, eye-for-details, American poetry, smoky-real voice, and dynamic delivery on The Shadow of This Town weren’t enough to impress, taking in the fact that the entire album was created with just three musicians should do the trick. With Joe Devadanam on drums and Sam Austin on electric guitar and dobro, Libby covers not only the vocals, harmonica, and guitar, but also the recording and producing. While the songs of The Shadow of This Town have the polish to stand in a playlist with the likes of Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, and Lori McKenna, Libby’s fresh take and raw honesty ensure she will never be mistaken for any of the powerhouses names a listener may draw on for comparison.
Review by Heather Miller-Rodriguez
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
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Libby Koch "The Shadow of This Town"
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The third release from Texas singer-songwriter Libby Koch, The Shadow of This Town, is a country fus...The third release from Texas singer-songwriter Libby Koch, The Shadow of This Town, is a country fused album complete with harmonica and tambourine accompaniment alongside Koch’s wavering, old soul vocals. While she’s been inspired by country greats including Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Patty Griffin, and Lucinda Williams, Koch has a distinct voice that she can call her own. At times bringing to mind fellow Texan Miranda Lambert, Koch is well on her way on this 11-track album.
The Shadow of This Town begins with a powerful harmonica introduction before Koch offers her first vocal. With a classic Americana and country roots vibe, Koch’s eased singing style combined with fitting guitar, harmonica and percussion accompaniment on “Lonesome Bound” get the album started off on the right foot. A quick paced track, Koch’s smooth vocals impress. “Walk Away” follows suit with faster percussion and Koch’s deeper vocals. “Yes, we’ve all walked away/Why is it so hard to find the perfect thing to say/When we all walk on by/Always wonder why,” she sings. Soaring guitar interludes coupled with Koch’s heartfelt lyrics demonstrate her prowess as a songwriter.
Always versatile, the gospel inspired first track “Lonesome Bound” embodies a twangy feel for Koch while “Texas Saturday,” an ode to her home state, has a funky musical interlude that wavers between country and old rock ‘n’ roll. With a catchy percussion beat that begs listeners to stomp along and a harmonica part that accentuates and adds flavor, the song impresses. “The Shadow of This Town” further demonstrates Koch’s Texas roots. The seventh generation Texan, who lives in Houston, sings of her love of her home town. “And if I ever leave/Please take me back there when I die/All the things that I lost/And everything I found/All lie beneath the shadow of this town.” With light percussion and banjo, Koch’s more serious side is revealed. The sultry “Too Damn Hard” enters midway through The Shadow of This Town, and strongly. With deep vocals and a distinct yearning in her voice, Koch strikes the listener. Another song about trying to forget the past and move on with a relationship, “Settle Down” is relatable to many. “So baby let’s settle down/I’m tryin’ to show you baby that it’s gonna be just alright,” she sings repeatedly with additional banjo and percussion accompaniment.
“Starting to See” follows suit as Koch reminisces of a former love who is now dating someone new. Appropriate guitar accompaniment helps in coloring Koch’s tale on this heartbreaking ballad. “You’re with a new love/And I’m glad you’re okay/Can’t help wishing you wanted to stay,” she sings. In apparent agony she continues: “I’m just trying to find something else to get you off my mind.” While country music is known for songs about heartache and loss, Koch manages to liven things up. Tracks like “Here By My Side” pick up the pace with impressive electric guitar interludes. An edgier number, the song recalls country star Lambert. Easily envisioned performed at a honky tonk, “Here By My Side” shows Koch’s fun side. And, what’s a country song without some talk of money problems? Koch closes the album with a cover of Robert Earl Keen’s “Feelin’ Good Again.” The track begins with lament of her money woes. As she steps into a familiar bar with friendly faces she sings, “I wish I had some money/With which to buy a round.” However, she soon discovers her jacket holds “Three $20’s and a $10” and her bad luck quickly changes. With vivid lyrics, the listener can easily place himself in the bar with Koch’s rendition of Keen’s original.
A strong release, The Shadow of This Town embodies songs of everyday life: of love, loss and home life. While it’s easy to picture Koch tearing up a honky tonk down south, it is on her ballads that she leaves her greatest mark. The album is full of great emotion and Koch’s deeper singing style moves the listener. An impressive blend of fast-paced tracks and ballads, Koch switches gears well and continues to captivate the listener’s attention wholeheartedly.
Review by Annie Reuter
Rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
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Libby Koch - The Shadow of This Town (Dutch Review)
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Een drummer, een gitarist en een kleine opdonder als zangeres die zich begeleid op de akoestische gi...Een drummer, een gitarist en een kleine opdonder als zangeres die zich begeleid op de akoestische gitaar, mandoline, banjo, bass, dobro, lapsteel en orgel. Wanneer het album “The Shadow Of This Town”, de derde cd van de Texaanse Libby Koch, opent met de countrygospel Lonesome Bound, knalt de sfeer er direct in. De goedlachse kleine dondersteen blijkt een brok energie te zijn en haar soms schorre, dan weer frêle stem lijkt alles aan te kunnen. ”The Shadow Of This Town” straalt van de emoties en liefdesverklaringen van iemand die, samen met G. Joe Devadanam en Sam Austin met hart en ziel aan dit schitterende album heeft gewerkt.
De cowgirl kiest op deze cd voor een luchtige aanpak voor haar bondige songs. Met doorleefde nummers als Texas Saturday en Tonight, diepgeworteld in de Amerikaanse traditie van de countryrockmuziek, waait er ook een frisse bluegrasswind in Still In Love. Libby heeft het talent om pesterig om het zuivere koord heen te dansen en het af en toe even aan te raken. Onbeschaamd prachtig vals zingen, daar is ze ook goed in. “The Shadow Of This Town” klinkt soms lekker rafelig. maar ook lief in countryballades als Too Damn Hard en Robert Earl Keens Feelin’ Good Again. En goddank, het album is niet perfect afgemixt.
www.libbykoch.com
(Johan Schoenmakers)
