The only real surprise about ex-Story singer Jennifer Kimball’s latest solo album is that it’s her first in nearly eight years. Otherwise, it’s pretty much what you’d expect: intelligent, melodic folk pop that won’t ruffle many feathers but will charm if given half a chance. Kimball’s voice is as honey-sweet as ever, whether floating whimsically over the Caribbean rhythms of “Is He or Isn’t He?” or plumbing bluesier depths on “Last Ride Home.” An impressive group of ringers — including bassist Paul Bryan, sax man Russ Gershon, and drummer Jay Bellerose — give heft to the arrangements, but it’s producer/guitarist Duke Levine who comes closest to walking away with the album: his down-twisting arpeggio on the chorus of “Can’t Climb Up” is the most memorable hook, and his solo on the closing track, a bang-up rendition of the old standard “Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams,” swings with quiet authority.
___
On the Web:
Jennifer Kimball: http://www.jenniferkimball.com
