Caitlin Rose - Dead Flowers EP
Review by Jack Foley
CAITLIN Rose is a name to remember. Just 20, the Nashville-born singer is already generating a lot of excitement on the country scene in the US.
But such is the quality of her voice and the enthusiasm with which she delivers her music she’s quickly developing a world-wide fanbase.
Her Dead Flowers EP is a great starting point from which to get to know her. Comprised of seven tracks, including two cover versions, it’s an appealing showcase of her talents, so long as you dig the country vibe.
Admittedly, even if you don’t there’s something to admire. Her vocals, for instance, are at ease whether being accompanied by typical country guitars, more playful banjo licks or just appearing a capella without the need for anything other than herself for company.
And she’s not afraid to take on the big boys, or dwarfed by reputation, as her decision to deliver covers of The Rolling Stones’ Dead Flowers and Patsy Cline’s Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray.
Both tracks are delivered in striking versions… the latter in a style that would please Cline herself and the former completely revised by virtue of the female vocals and slower style.
Her sense of humour, meanwhile, shines through on Docket and Gorilla Man. The lyrics on Docket, for instance, include such choice spunky lines as “the surgeon general can suck on my dick” and “I gotta docket in my pocket… it says cancer’s never catching up to me”.
Gorilla Man, meanwhile, is a robust offering that strips back all the instrumentation barring a stirring tambourine clap, thereby providing a thrilling showcase of her vocals. It’s the pick of the EP in our opinion.
More traditional, however, is the equally satisfying EP opener Shotgun Wedding that’s delivered in true Gram Parsons style, complete with lush banjo and guitar solos.
Like we said, there’s much to admire here…
Download picks: Shotgun Wedding, Docket, Gorilla Man, Dead Flowers
Track listing: