Rosie Thomas

It’s understandable that so many compare Rosie Thomas to Sarah McLachlan. Both write confessional piano ballads, have a knack for crafting beautiful melodies and sing like nobody's business. But while McLachlan appeals to the corporate everywoman who buys three CDs a year, Thomas’ target audience is the indie chick who keeps her hundreds of records arranged alphabetically and by genre. The big difference? Thomas’s heart breaks cerebrally, not just emotionally. She sees life and love through stark, gritty eyes that examine harsh realities McLachlan simply glosses over.

In fact, Thomas’s songs - check out “Guess It May” and “Death Came and Got Me” - are so bleak she often incorporates a comedy act in her live shows to temporarily lighten the mood. That said, probably the best track on If Songs Could Be Held is a cover of the eternally sweet “Let It Be Me.” Thomas’s duet version is more saccharine than the Everly Brothers’, but no matter. It‘s damn fine music. So good, really, that it more than excuses some of the tracks - most notably, “Say What You Want” and “Time Goes By” - that blend together anonymously. In all though, Thomas's fans will be pleased to add this to their collection.

For more info see: rosiethomas.com