Kelsey Waldon

"An intoxicating mixture of traditional folk, alternitive country, and indie rock. Has a very contemporary sounding edginess. The thing that strikes me most about this recording is your emotional commitment to the vocal performance. It is particularly striking when you expel just that much more emotionally energy to hit the high notes during the chorus sections. It's at that point I feel the chill bumps rising on my arms." -TAXI A&R team on "Does anybody care (Oh Mama)" (www.taxi.com)

- TAXI

Kelsey Waldon's introduction to this CD has her musing that life isn't all that easy, and sometimes a clean slate is the best way to go ... so we think. Dirty Hands, Dirty Feet examines imperfection in all its forms ... love, apathy, jealousy, self-esteem (or lack thereof) ... yet the ultimate point is that these little imperfections are the stuff of life, and offer opportunity for the good times. As the track "Little Bubble" implores, "Can't you see that the world needs something, and not another reason to cry?" Dirty Hands, Dirty Feet ends up being a great and celebratory life statement offered up from this small town Kentucky native. Waldon does double duty on guitar and harmonica, and is accompanied by Ryan Cain, Jake Bell, and Dustin Burnett. They make for a tight-sounding group and all are clearly very practiced on their instruments.

"Does Anybody Care (Oh Mama)" is an album highlight with a melody that will stick for days. It shows off Waldon's lilting vocals, a bit reminiscent of Kasey Chambers, and Ryan Cain's guitar chops. Waldon reminds us, "Don't be ashamed to be imperfect, you don't have to hide away." It's a nice tribute to those who maybe see the really important things in life as opposed to the usual rat-race and responsibility we heap upon ourselves. Bottom line? "I have been loved anyway." Amen.

"You Don't Believe (In Lovin' Me)" shows us Waldon is not all optimism and sunshine. It begins with the request to "just take your love and just go away." A genteel and laid back verse gives way to a swirling chorus apropos to the mixed feelings of attraction and rejection. Waldon describes the inner conversation we all go through when someone catches our eye -- do we go for it? Is it worth the inevitable breakdown? Why bother? "Just pack your bags and leave it alone." A tune of restraint, no doubt, but a toe-tapping one.

"Living in our little bubble, it's hard to see the other side." "Our Little Bubble" is a mellow, groovy statement about poverty, apathy, and making a change. Perhaps Waldon has the right idea -- pipe a bunch of really singable, easy to remember songs with a message over the airwaves and when we have everyone singing along, then the good vibes are infused into everyone's consciousness. "Before we all die and fade away," says the song. Maybe we should get on that. Spinning Kelsey's album is a great start. - Indie-music.com