Amy Farris Anyway (Yep Roc)

Don't be fooled into thinking this is a straight country album. It ain't. Sure, classically trained violinist/singer-songwriter Farris has deep roots in the genre, but her nimble fingers are in a lot of other pies (Sixties pop, rock & roll, swing). The beauty of Anyway resides in these added textures. The title track harks back to the girl groups of yore, "My Heart's Too Easy to Break" borrows a little surf music guitar and gets it drunk and "Let Go" is pretty much what Marlene Dietrich would've sounded like if she'd gone to Nashville. There are plenty of traditional country songs here too -- Bruce Robison's "Drivin' All Night Long," the snappy "Pretty Dresses" -- and a good rocker in "No Exit." This one will take you down home and all the way back again with some fun detours. Farris is a refreshing talent who's a good bet for big things. Lend her your ears. (ADRIAN ZUPP)