Nothing Is Free [Digipak]

Performer: Carolyn Mark
Engineer: Myke Hall
Distributor: NAIL Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Emilie Rhone (vocals); Paul Rigby (guitar, guitars, mandolin); Paul Pigat (guitar, bass guitar); Neckbeard aka Calvin Dick (unknown instrument); Diona Davies (vocals, violin); Allison Russell (vocals, clarinet); Awna Teixeira (vocals). Audio Mixer: John Raham. Recording information: Beaver Point Hall, Saltspring Island, British Columbia, (09/18/2006-09/20/2006). Photographer: Carolyn Mark. Canadian Carolyn Mark opens Nothing Is Free with "The Business End," a mellow slice of country-folk highlighted by a fine vocal and old-time fiddle. With a touch of grain, Mark's country-flavored vocals will remind No Depression fans of Neko Case; it's a voice that sounds slightly retro, especially backed by a guitar with lots of echo/reverb. There's nothing retro, however, about the lyrics of "The Business End," or its medium-tempo follow-up, "Happy 2B Flying Away"; both are pure singer/songwriter. What works best about the material, though, is the sound of both tracks; the first, a quiet blend of fiddle and acoustic guitar, the latter (though it sounds too much like a leftover Case arrangement), a blend of acoustic guitar, a bouncy electric lead, and solid harmony on the choruses. The lyrics are another matter, especially on the first track. Depending on one's point of view, "The Business End" is a lesson in deep writing or navel gazing, with the narrator "praying for a disaster to come and solve/all the problems I don't have." The sound, however, would be enough to recommend Nothing Is Free, if the remainder of the album was as strong as the first two cuts. These two songs, though, are very good, and if one has patience, the final track, "Destination You," offers an intriguing deviation from everything that has come before it on Nothing Is Free. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.

Uncut (p.106) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he settings for these songs are standard acoustic guitars, mandolin and strings, but she fills them with enough devilry and sly humour to draw you in to her bittersweet world completely." Magnet (p.102) - "[S]he has the bark to back up that bite: a magnificent voice that slides from honeyed purr to throaty torch-song belting."

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