Search - Eileen Rose :: Come the Storm

A Perfect Storm

David Squibb | Boston, MA United States | 10/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a relief to report that song craft is alive and well in 2005. And by all indications, Eileen Rose carries the torch almost singlehandedly for the newest crop of singer-songwriters on either side of the pond. An exaggeration? Not in the least. Rising head and shoulders above most of her contemporaries whose personal musings pay only fleeting respect to that quaint notion called melody, Eileen's compositions are of a quality that should make more established heavy hitters take notice. John Lennon lamented that the first time he heard Dave Edmunds' "I Hear You Knocking" he was pissed that he hadn't written the song himself. I contend that Stevie Wonder might feel the same way about Eileen's bittersweet but blissful "Never Be the Same." And I suggest that had Elton John written the instant classic "Ocean of Fire" he might find his performances of the anthem answered by a thousand flickering lights. And had Sara McLachlin penned the sultry "Saffron & Ginger" she would surely send audiences fumbling towards ecstasy all over again. On "Come the Storm" Eileen Rose combines Cohen caliber lyrical gifts with Brill Building musical mastery. And the result is revealed ten times over on this third solo release, her first on Banana Recordings. So, as the question is begged by such exuberant praise of Eileen's craft, what is it that constitutes a great song anyway? According to Hank Williams a good song was one you could sing behind a plow. Lo and behold, "Come the Storm" is fertile with songs you can actually sing behind the wheel."