Sarah Blackwood – Wasting Time

When we last saw Sarah Blackwood, she was having somewhat of an identity crisis on her first solo record, Way Back Home.  The budding Creepshow vocalist was caught between her personal passion for grass roots acoustic country, and her band’s dark psychobilly leanings.  So while Way Back Home was certainly catchy in both regards, Blackwood found herself shifting between personas, creating an album with an indeterminate audience.  Personally enjoying her darker offerings, I had been hoping that her second solo outing, Wasting Time, would more fully develop her dark side; but alas, while this time aroundBlackwood fully commits, she instead focuses on her country roots.  However, what she ends up developing remains original and true to herself.

Unlike many of today’s punk-gone-country solo artists like Chuck Ragan and Tim Barry, Blackwood takes a sunny, homely approach.  “God Ain’t Got Nothing” opens the album on a particularly confident note, taking a rather unique spin on friendship and accountability.  Blackwood sings about those using religion as a crutch when looking for forgiveness for unforgiveable decisions: “but each time you’re on a bended knee/you feel like you won the lottery/where is he when you’re looking for a real friend in need?”  Her insight holds individuals personally accountable, in the process revealing Blackwood’s biggest strength: challenging listeners to look beyond the naivety of today’s candy coated pop scene and exercising self respect.

A quick glance through the accompanying lyric fold-out and the album title seems to build on Blackwood’s agenda.  An overarching theme of dwelling on dead ends and false hope dominates tracks like “Fall From A Star” and “I’ll Keep On Waiting,” but with a certain acceptance for life’s regrets.  In “Turning,” the passage “can’t fall in love with a devil’s angel and hope he won’t commit no crimes/but that’s just the way it goes, yeah that’s just the way it goes,” succinctly summarizes this sentiment.  But as found a track later in “Way Round,” Blackwood doesn’t dwell on harsh realities, but holds onto a stubborn, hopeful, self-generated optimism.  So despite her at times distressing lyrics, Blackwood offers a message of resilience bolstered by her lighthearted delivery.

Musically, Blackwood is as country as they come.  Not in the mainstream Brad Paisely and Dixie Chicks kind of way, but the simple, stripped down and unplugged grassroots mentality.  Between Sarah and her seven instrumental contributors, she throws in everything from banjos and pianos to Ukuleles and mandolins, creating a “full” and engaging soundscape.

Granted, for those initially drawn to Blackwood’s psychobilly roots, Wasting Time will feel like a stretch.  You won’t find any supernatural references, and the light tone may at first feel unfulfilling.  However, those willing to stay the course – and certainly those drawn to sunny country ditties – will find a playful songwriter with a strong spirit and optimistic outlook.  And while Wasting Time certainly won’t win over rooted skeptics holding out for something closer to The Creepshow, those with an appreciation for solid musicianship and a genuine country twang should certainly check it out.

So unlike Way Back Home, Wasting Time clears up any stylistic confusion, finding Sarah Blackwood on a set path with a clear vision.