On “I’m Pulling Through” Krall credits a dear friend with giving her hope and perspective amid trials. She honors her mother, who recently died of cancer (“Departure Bay”). A stray line on “Narrow Daylight” seems to find comfort in Jesus (“I ran up through the rocks to the old wooden cross/It’s a place where I can find some peace”).
Elsewhere, Krall trades in her restrictive “Sunday suit” for a less wholesome lifestyle (“I’ve Changed My Address”). “The Girl in the Other Room” finds a young woman eavesdropping on a couple preparing for sex. A string of bad relationships (sex implied) leaves the artist with a laundry list of common male shortcomings on the diatribe “Love Me Like a Man.” A brandy drinker succumbs to “Temptation.” Sadness consumes “Almost Blue,” “Stop This World” and “Abandoned Masquerade” with the latter stating, “I hope you never feel this much despair.”
It’s the first CD of original material by Krall, whom one reviewer called “the superstar sex kitten of jazz.” Despite glints of optimism, most of her smoky, melancholy songs (written with new hubby Elvis Costello) are just too forlorn. We hope teens never feel this much despair.
After serving as an associate editor at NavPress’ Discipleship Journal and consulting editor for Current Thoughts and Trends, Adam now oversees the editing and publishing of Plugged In’s reviews as the site’s director. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children. In their free time, the Holzes enjoy playing games, a variety of musical instruments, swimming and … watching movies.
