Carrying Lightning

The familiar becomes something strange and magical on Amanda Shires’ *Carrying Lightning*. Though this Lubbock, Texas-born singer/songwriter might be termed alt-country in approach, her dreamy, closely observed lyrics and fluent fiddle-playing elevate her above typical artists in this genre. Shires possesses a husky voice tinged with a pronounced vibrato; her singing suggests wistful emotion and childlike wonder. Sweetly poignant tunes like “Ghost Bird” and “Lovesick I Remain” are balanced by more angst-filled expressions like “Shake the Walls” or “When You Need a Train It Never Comes.” There are moments here (particularly “Bees In the Shed”) that bring to mind the scruffy quirkiness of Tom Waits. *Carrying Lightning* manages to maintain an affectionate tone without becoming precious or cloying — tasty musical touches (like the small string ensemble on “Kudzu”) help keep things both warm and interesting. Call her a Lone Star eccentric or a poet with a mean bow arm, Shires proves herself a compelling talent on this visionary song collection.