Marcy Grace
Tear It Up
Independent
The debut album from Texas singer-songwriter and guitarist Marcy Grace, Tear It Up, features sizzling guitars, driving rhythms, and the inimitable voice of Grace. Imagine the Sirens of The Odyssey deciding to become country-rock singers, and you’ll have an idea of the appeal of Grace’s voice.
Grace shares, “This album is all me and my band. We did bring in Aaron Castilla on fiddle for ‘Heavens to Betsy’ and ‘Mr. Lonely Eyes,’ and Tina Turner’s fiddle on ‘Look Who’s Countin’ and ‘Mason Jar.’ We also brought in John Macy on pedal steel. I’m so proud of this group and what we created; it’s everything I hoped for. And getting to record a song I wrote with my dad, Patrick Camacho, makes it even more special.”
Produced by Kenny Lane Schwartz of Red Fox Recording in Bandera, Texas, Tear It Up is the perfect example of flamboyance only just held under control.
Of the 10 tracks on the album, high points include the opener, “Heavens To Betsy,” a feel-good song riding a tight and right rhythm, topped by skiffing guitars and a delicious fiddle. Grace’s twang-laced vocals infuse the lyrics with drawling surfaces that positively ooze with Texas tangs.
The title track rolls like a steam engine &emdash; snarling guitars over a propelling beat that snaps and pops. This song lets Grace unleash her saw-toothed voice, with drawling textures as thick as Velveeta cheese and just as tasty. A searing guitar solo gives the tune vicious, grimacing energy. This track flat-out cooks.
On “Knockout,” Grace’s vocals conjure up suggestions of a burly Dolly Parton, parading muscular timbres, while a talky guitar suffuses the melody with scorching licks.
Straight out of a country barn dance hall, “Look Who’s Countin’” brims with sawing fiddles and platinum guitars that shake and bake, producing a foot-stomping song marinated in electrifying relish.
Slower and sadder, “Mr. Lonely Eyes” allows Grace to demonstrate the range and edge of her lusciously Southern voice. There’s a sympathetic tenderness to this song, as well as a sensation of turbulent emotions that won’t readily subside.
The second and acoustic version of “If You Want The Rainbow” ties the album off. Accompanied by only a guitar, Grace’s voice conveys the pain and struggles of life, along with the hoped-for reward for resilience in the face of difficulties. Wistful and poignant, it’s a haunting song.
A ferociously excellent album highlighted by Marcy Grace’s yummy, unfiltered, drenched-in-twang voice, Tear It Up is one of the best albums of the year.
