This five-song EP from San Francisco’s Karney (sometimes also known as the Karney Band) is led by singer-songwriter-guitarist Anna Karney and was a surprise delivery to me by her label.
The title track, “Better,” is gets things off to a good start with hard-hitting drums from Jeff Herrera and Karney’s lyrics about taking charge of our lives in dark times. “Trust” is another uplifting track, not unlike a gospel song with its strong themes of acceptance and trust in something greater than the self.
Karney’s faithful cover of Led Zeppelin‘s “Ramble On” is a good one that takes on a hint of country flavor that works well (since, after all, country and blues are strongly linked). “Snake Oil Salesman,” has a bit of a psychedelic surf flair and lyrics (and a poem by Haji Hajimicheal) that I think reference a deceitful lover or the Grim Reaper (or possibly one and the same being). The closer, “Round and Round,” is a slightly mournful tune (with nice accordion work by Julie Wolf) that highlights Karney’s road-weary vocals.
Better is a nice little rock EP that would’ve escaped my radar were it not for Karney’s label sending it to me. I thank them for the gift, and Ms. Karney for the fine work indeed.
Keep your mind open.
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