SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: MARY KARLZEN – FOR ALL THAT WE DREAMED OF

MARY KARLZEN
FOR ALL THAT WE DREAMED OF
Y&T MUSIC

Since 1992, Mary Karlzen has been working on her skills, both as a songwriter and singer, and she has made some fantastic albums. Since her self-titled 1992 debut, she has continued to tell stories and create worlds within her songs and music. With For All That We Dreamed Of, she has come up with an album of 12 songs that are like a great short story collection, with its own soundtrack. Karlzen wrote 10 of the tracks. There are two covers, a brilliant version of the incredible Dillards’ song, “There Is A Time,” and her take on the Gram Parsons classic, “She,” and they seem very personal.

Karlzen is comfortable sharing her life, and each song brings the listener in and embraces them. She writes very melodic indiepop/rock and at times comes close to sounding like Aimee Mann. However, Karlzen creates her own distinct sound and music. From the opening track, “Blindsided,” which is a confessional wrapped in a memory, her voice sounds playful as the song plays out, and the arrangement is top notch. The same can be said for the rest of the album, it is extremely well produced and arranged and sounds fantastic. And while there are moments on the album, some songs, such as “Franklin,” are very touching and heartbreaking.

“Coffee Shop,” “History,” and “Night Of A Million Moons,” all tell their respective tales, surrounded by country, pop, folk, rock and combinations of all of the above. Again, not to draw comparisons, but there is a little bit of Craig Finn in her songs, just not as sad. Well, not all of them. But what is clear is that she is doing her best to connect with the listener. Karlzen’s songs are not background music, they ask for and should have the listener’s full attention.

Karlzen has a great deal of help from several well-known musicians (Robbie Rist, Ben Peeler, Kevin McCormick, John Deaderick) who all add to the mix, but Karlzen is clearly the star of the show. For All That We Dreamed Of is pure Karlzen. For All That We Dreamed Of is her seventh album, and she still has a great deal to say. She expresses herself well in a very creative and musical fashion. For All That We Dreamed Of is an album that should not be missed.

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