Baroque Horse Bookends: A Charmingly Intimate Debut from Mary Lou Lord

Mary Lou Lord's debut album, released in 1998 at the tail-end of the initial alternative rock era, holds up remarkably well as a charming intersection of intimate folk-tinged singer-songwriter music and full-on indie rock. Lord's fragile vocals, often double-tracked, provide a tender vulnerability to songs like the folk standard 'Shake Sugaree' and the sweet mid-tempo 'Western Union Desperate' and 'Seven Sisters.' The opening track 'His Lamest Flame' is a winning little break-up jaunt, a twist on the similarly-titled Elvis Presley tune that rocks a similar lyrical vein.

The album's standout tracks showcase Lord's ability to craft infectious indie rock songs. 'Some Jingle Jangle Morning' is a blast-force anthem driven by Byrds-esque riffs and heroin-laced lyrics drawn from her relationship with Kurt Cobain. It's insanely catchy, a song that in a just universe would have catapulted Lord to the festival main stage.

While Lord didn't achieve mainstream success, releasing music infrequently since then, Shadow remains a personal favorite. With its straightforward folk-pop tunes, this album bears little relationship to Nick Salomon's edgy lo-fi retro-psychedelia work as the Bevis Frond. Yet, it's clear that Salomon and Lord share a love for crafting memorable songs.

As an intimate debut from a one-time subway busker who found herself with a well-produced major label release and a stint on the Lilith Fair, Shadow is a testament to the power of music to bring people together. Whether you're looking for catchy indie rock or folk-tinged singer-songwriter music, Mary Lou Lord's Baroque Horse Bookends is an album that will charm and delight.

Baroque horse bookends