San Rafaelite Penny Framstad will legitimately outgrow comparisons to Jewel and Sarah McLachlan by virtue of her songwriting first, then by her vocal finesse. Penny sees to tight, uncomplicated acoustic detail, with no compromises. There's a scent of ocean breeze blowing across rock-solid ground... [+] Expand

San Rafaelite Penny Framstad will legitimately outgrow comparisons to Jewel and Sarah McLachlan by virtue of her songwriting first, then by her vocal finesse. Penny sees to tight, uncomplicated acoustic detail, with no compromises. There's a scent of ocean breeze blowing across rock-solid ground here, and Penny's music declares an independence from folk (particularly Marin County folk from a girl with a guitar), indie-jangle, and other garden varieties. If the lyrics are jarring from time to time, compelling 12-string melodies of "A Shadow on the Sun" (sung through a megaphone) and "Like a Moth to a Flame" are 100% radio-ready. And she surely is, although a couple of backup singers on these cuts would be awesome. She has a beautiful, soaring voice that contributes to the meaningful effect of her lyrics -- these thoughtfully composed words aren't merely "presented" -- thus the records warrant multiple listens right off the bat in order to listen carefully to her compositions (co-written by Tom Whitlock). The whiff of C&W is reminiscent of early Suzy Bogguss; vocally she refuses to regress, as many will do on the snapdragon-lined road to the Lilith Fair. All good moves by a smart and authentically hip singer. ~ Becky Byrkit, All Music Guide [-] Collapse

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