Love Tattoo

is the debut solo album by Irish vocalist , formerly of the roots outfit . Originally released by the indie imprint, it was later licensed in the U.K. by and in the United States by . has captured the attention of the United Kingdom with its release, and for good reason. It's a striking gumbo of tough , streetwise razor-edged , intimate sultry , and sassy wrote all but two of the set's 12 tracks and produced the set; she also plays the bodhran, an Irish percussion instrument from antiquity. She's surrounded herself with an ace band that includes her husband, guitarist , trumpeter (who also plays fluegelhorn and percussion), pianist and organist , bassist , and drummer . The kickoff is the stomping rockabilly of (infer what you might from the title). With a slapping double bassline intro, the drum kit latches on and takes it for another eight measures before 's nasty guitar begins its cutting strut. But 's vocal tops it all and swaggers confidently with its expression of raw sensuality. This is a love song from the streets, but it isn't trashy. It's got its own kind of in-your-face class. Contrast this with the gorgeous bluesy ballad with its slow walking piano and basslines and a halting guitar figure, and 's voice all croon and caress. The title track is a wild stomp and roll where blues, rock & roll, country, and boogie collide behind her blues shout. is a trained vocalist to be sure, but when the material calls for it, her voice contains a certain rough grain -- earthy, raw, and full of unbridled passion. It's even evident in the country ballad (one of the tracks where her bodhran can be heard prominently). The lilt, grace, and haggard elegance of her voice reveal an entire well of feeling that seems to bubble up effortlessly yet without artifice. The entire album is deliciously and unabashedly retro, but comes off as spontaneous, fresh, and full of adventure. The uptempo tunes are simply unhinged, while the ballads are full of authentic emotion. The tunes aren't overly arranged, the production is minimal, and the instruments -- as well as her voice -- sound unembellished. is capturing the attention of Europe for a reason; she is a rare and very exciting talent who understands the history of American roots music and knows how to use that understanding in a contemporary context without pandering. is righteous. Period. ~ Thom Jurek