Vagabond Lullabies

by David JeffriesWhat separates Po' Girl from so many other folky groups with multiple singers is that no matter how sweet their voices are, what really stands out is the mesmerizing groove. They're fine songwriters, too, but that's not what first hits you. It's the lazy sway of Po' Girl's music, a hypnotic and humid sway that's hard to resist. The album's title, Vagabond Lullabies, is probably a better description but it doesn't touch on the Southern feel of the record, a record that comes from someplace anywhere but Southern: Vancouver, Canada. The porches in Vancouver must be wonderful places to play music, since there is a genuine smile that comes through Po' Girl's music, and despite all the wandering, the tunes always come home in the end. There's a druggy muddiness too, making who does what less obvious and Po' Girl a very cohesive unit. Allison Russell is the breathier one while Trish Klein is the more brassy vocalist, and they complement each other wonderfully. On first listen, the album enchants beginning to end. On second listen, some of the songs separate themselves as great highlights, Russell's rustic rave-up "Movin' On" being the best. Sneaky raps and beatboxing from guest CR Avery give the album an approachable sense of fun, and the revolving instrumentation keeps things interesting. Add a well-structured running order for the tracks and you've got an intimate, smooth, and dreamy album to waste away a sunny afternoon.