Mary Karlzen
The Wanderlust Diaries
Dualtone
The Wanderlust Diaries is Mary Karlzen’s fourth album and offers contemporary country music without the formulaic overtones of a lot of Nashville “product.”
Proof of that philosophy is evident in the appearance of Matthew Ryan on Karlzen’s version of the Tom Waits’ classic “The Heart of Saturday Night,” but it’s also clear from even a cursory listen to tracks like the excellent acoustic ballad “Skyway” and the poignant “Friends Along the Way.” Even the more upbeat songs such as “Straws” and “Find Yourself” avoid the trap of sounding like they have been written primarily for country radio.
Karlzen has recorded an album that clearly embraces her own personality and talent and The Wanderlust Diaries is well worth checking out for anyone tired of the cookie-cutter records that flow out of Nashville with depressing regularity.
Mary Karlzen: http://www.marykarlzen.com
