Rating: NNNN
With her quiet, silky voice and Joni Mitchellesque fingerpicking, Stoll will likely suffer a few Sarah Harmer comparisons. While it’s true that both rely on hushed, poignant vocal delivery, Stoll proves the gutsier lyricist, going for the bad-relationship jugular with naked detail. She tries to face down the spectre of romance gone wrong without flinching – from coital slide-backs (Lay Your Hands On Me) to the dark moments between when a lover stops trying (Leaving Autumn) and is gone for good (Disappearing Act). While a long list of musicians are credited on the album, Stoll seems to prefer using intimate cabaret-sized arrangements on each track, which heightens her vocal presence and makes This Is Where an even more commanding listen. Janine Stoll plays the NOW Lounge Saturday (November 5).
