Review Summary: Folk-pop singer/songwriter Joy Adler balances the mellow, peaceful spirit of country, jazz, and the blues with a cover of a Goth-rock classic from the Cult
Folky and intimate with tasteful flirtations in country, jazz, and the blues, the last think you'd expect from an album like this would be a cover of the Cult's mid-'80s Goth-rock anthem "She Sells Sanctuary." For those not paying attention to the track listing, singer/songwriter Joy Adler's lovingly realized stripped-down take on a post-punk dance classic is quite startling. Thankfully, Adler doesn't add a blemish to the Batcave nostalgia of the original. While now torn from its New Wave roots, "She Sells Sanctuary" still retains its dreaminess, an enigmatic love song with an undertow of spirituality ("I'm sure in her you'll find/Sanctuary") that is actually consistent with Adler's own explorations of religious faith.
Remaking a Cult cut also further conveys Adler's creative versatility. The opening slice, "By Your Side," is propelled by jangling guitars that suggest the influence of country music or Americana. It is rootsy pop with a solid vocal performance that is sweet but not as sugary as you'd hear from today's Nashville populace. "Prayer" turns the page immediately after it, letting Mike Steiner's fiery blues riffs loose while Adler's voice soars through the clouds. "Our Rapture," on the other hand, is a delicate piano piece reminiscent of Tori Amos (minus the personal issues) and Norah Jones.
Comparisons to other contemporary female artists are inevitable since most of them are mining similar inspirations. But Alder is her own person. There is a mellow, peaceful spirit at play here, one that seems to be seeking calmness and stability more than expressing rage. While her singing on "Feels Good" may recall the husky tones of Fiona Apple, Adler is stating her happiness here and not introspective gloom. It all equals all pleasant, sunny-day affair, a welcome alternative to the upcoming wintry darkness.
