All Music Guide - April 2000

Ohlman's second studio album is another big move forward for this multi-talented singer-songwriter. Her band, Rebel Montez, plays with a solid assurance and less reliance on guest stars than her debut disc and Eric Fletcher's guitar work peppers the mix with tasty fills and sometimes surprisingly savage lead work. The team of bassist Michael Colbath and drummer Larry Donahue is as solid as they come, bringing to mind the economy of the Stax rhythm section in spots while Ohlman's straight-up acoustic guitar is the mule glue that holds these tracks together. As always, Ohlman sings her rear end off on gems like "When I Work My Thang On You," "When The Summer Goes," "Let's Burn," and nice takes on the Rolling Stones' "Heart Of Stone" and Ike and Tina's "I Idolize You." But ultimately it's Christine's songwriting that has taken the biggest leap forward, and tracks like the bone-chilling "Turn" and the seductive "Circle 'Round The Sun" are just two of the hidden treasures on this mighty slab of music. Well done.

-Cub Koda

Back