Theresa Andersson, longtime associate of the New Orleans music scene, makes her latest contribution with a five-song six-track sampling of material from her current repertoire. As expected, the focus here is Theresa’s vocal power and her signature violin work, but her backup band is more than notable. With Charlie Dennard on keys, Alex McMurray on guitar, Brady Kish on bass, and Willie Green on drums, the range of players alone is enough to keep things interesting for the duration of the record.
Most of the songs here deal with the tensions of rocky relationships, sweet melodies notwithstanding, and weave in and out of the insecurities associated therewith. Theresa’s intense vocals float on top of tracks like “He Wants It,” where the rhythm section remains a strong contrast underneath. “Break Up” has the deepest groove of the collection, with organ solos interspersed, and vocals delving into the soul of the instrumental work. Having written or co-written four of the five songs here, Theresa displays a close relationship with the music throughout the record. It is apparent that the content of the record is personal, rounding out requirements for a truly expressive effort.
Despite carefully penned melodies and their respective lyrics, this EP encompasses a great many instances of energy loss. Sometimes, the songs are attention-grabbing at the outset, but lose their groove at the chorus or the bridge, where they should be stepping it up. For example, on “Break Up,” the chorus sounds more like a two-tone doorbell than the personal turning point suggested by the lyrics. To contrast, on the popular radio selection, “I Am I & You Are You,” the structure of the melody evokes the harmonious attitude of the lyrical content.
Save for the outstanding track, “Love Is the Answer,” the overall sound of this EP is a bit polished for the New Orleans ear. Blended background vocals and careful changes give every track a smoothness akin to 1980s pop music, overproduction serving as the pitfall. But for those of us who know Theresa’s intensity as a live performer, her undeniable funkiness is still identifiable.
