Christy McWilson – Bed of Roses

Christy’s Just Sippin’ on MGD

If you ever find yourself sitting in a bar, drinking alone, Christy McWilson’s second solo album may be just what you should listen to. Or you may already be listening to it – you may not be able to tell the difference. “Bed of Roses” is chock full of country-rock ditties that are as about as original as the album’s title. The veteran rocker played on the Seattle scene since the 80’s with her band “Dynette Set,” then graced the “Fresh Young Fellows” with her vocal presence, and later joined “The Picketts” in 1990. However, her latest solo effort seems less than inspired. The songs are so disappointingly similar that it is almost impossible to differentiate them on a fourth or fifth repeated listening, even through a classic rock-trained ear. She unarguably has a fine-tuned, country vibrato that adds a rich and appropriate texture to her songs, but her lyrics and melodies lack the creativity that such experience would seem to instigate.

So pop open a cold one with Christy and sing with her about lost loves and runaway dogs, but while you’re at it, ask her who said all country songs should sound alike. We know she can do better.