April Verch - "Take Me Back(Rounder, 2006)

For those who never thought a Canadian folk-grass fiddle album could sound good, April Verch provides the proof that it can. Verch blends bluegrass with a touch of celtic flavor (particularly on "Grand Slaque") that makes this album hard to resist for fans of the style. "All in a Night" features a sound that, while based on a simple melody initially, turns into a solid alt-country piece. She follows that with "Monarch," a dark and moody guitar, violin and piano melody that is haunting -- worthy of the instrumental treatment Verch grants it.

Not content to stay in those genres, however, Verch continues to roam throughout the album, and that's to its benefit. "I Still Cry" is a country weeper in the vein of Roseanne Cash, while "Bride of Jesus" gets an acoustic gospel treatment that is second to none. With Take Me Back, April Verch proves that the beauty of her previous two rounder releases (Verchuosity in 2001, followed by From Where I Stand in 2003) was no fluke. "In a fair and just world, April Verch would enjoy the same crossover pop success as Alison Krauss," wrote All Music's Tim Sheridan. I say crossover success is unnecessary. What Verch does with Take Me Back is too refreshing to have Verch play the cruel radio single game.