Review Summary: Solid effort which introduces a fuller, rich sound at the expense of some of her more inspired moments.
I can't really be objective about this, as I thought Pina's first album 'Quick Look' was a wonderful gem, and the scarcity and brevity of her output makes anything new from her that much sweeter. I always wanted more songs, but Pina seemed to have disappeared off the global scene. When I found out this album existed, I was just so grateful that I'd get to hear that voice again on new offerings.
The material here is all solid - there isn't really a weak song. I think the blueprint for the collection was the track 'Josephine' on her first album - a relative rarity and standout for its use of piano. This album utilises a similiar rhythmic / melodic piano pattern present in that song (albeit faster), which is probably the biggest criticism I can level. Many of the tracks here have a deja vu inducing piano and drum combination, which is unfortunate. I do like Pina's innovative guitar sound, and while present, it is overshadowed by the other musical elements. One of the aforementioned elements is a turntable scratching effect which I feel doesn't add positively to the songs.
The production is crisper - many would probably argue this is an improvement but I did love the simultaneously soft and grainy feel of the previous record - the cleaner sound is probably required as this is much more a full band affair. Pina's voice still sounds worn in all the right places, and there isn't really anyone I can reliably compare her to. You'll hear many folk and rock influences, but also something you can't define in it.
The opening four tracks are excellent - 'I was walking' showcases that scratchy, pinging guitar with a bit of stomp and gospel blues, and 'Burning' is an interesting, passionate examination of an unusual dischord - proud of a new life, but yearning for your homeland (Pina left her native Austria for Ireland). Pina sings her heart out and sounds triumphant and unfulfilled at the same time.
Pina is also excellent at writing about her love for her child without it grating - 'Luise Luise' is a delightful, bouncy track. I also enjoyed the simple, joyful 'Bucket of Love' - it's a great love song (with big whoops at the end of some lines) that spills over with enthusiasm and still manages to avoid all the overblown proclamations common to the genre.
Ultimately, 'Guess you got it' feels curiously slight compared to her earlier effort, even with the musical complexities of 'On such a lovely day' and 'Dark blue and gold' - both good songs but almost bursting with ideas while also tied to some repetitive motifs. I think a slightly greater level of variety and editing would have made this a brilliant record as she has managed to incorporate more quality upbeat material into her repetoire, and this is not an easy thing to achieve. If you like an earthy voice that meanders into every cranny of a song (often contorting atonally to make a backing line work), then you won't be disappointed. Pina is a special talent in the realm of folk rock - give it a try. I am still very happy to have this record, and I think it will be a source of happiness for many years to come.
