Jolie Holland

Jolie Holland is perhaps her label's stab at zoning in on the fanbase shared by Norah Jones, Beth Orton and their ilk. Calm melodies, tasteful piano-based arrangements and longing vocals typify Springtime Can Kill You and all told, Holland puts together a pretty compelling package. While the subject matter is slightly sinister on such tunes as "Crush In The Ghetto" and the title track, Holland's voice has that unique warming quality that's both honest and comforting, handling serious subject matter with delicate kid gloves. Springtime Can Kill You is definitely a grower. Even after a half-dozen listens, it's tough to truly differentiate Holland from the scads of other female singer/songwriters currently trolling the marketplace. However, repeated listens reveal added levels of subtext and songwriting prowess, making Holland an artist to keep an eye on.

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