For a debut album from a new talent, "Heart Thief" is a remarkably mature effort. Singer/songwriter STEPHANIE FAGAN is blessed with one of those distinct voices that, if she had decided not to enter the music biz, the industry would have suffered a tremendous loss. A loud round of applause then for the independent record label Yonder Music for discovering her.
Fagan's menthol vocals at times recall Natalie Merchant of 10,000 Maniacs in her younger years; there is a plaintive quality to her singing, a kind of barely suppressed longing. It is quite appealing. Sure, there are countless female artists who can belt out indelible melodies, but Fagan has her own style; her vocals reel in the ears and rarely allow them to walk away.
Certainly, Fagan's singing abilities would have no relevance if her lyrics stumbled out of the gate. Fortunately, Fagan's songwriting reveal a real eye for detail and a keen literary bent. "Your newest beauty mark/Made in my absent weeks," Fagan's breathy voice observes on the opening track, "New Tattoo." The song seems to be about a long-term relationship that is fading into the abyss, how even the most loving of couples find the once burning fire between them completely snuffed out. The tattoo is symbolic of another lover - his, not hers. In her case, that would be the emotional scars left behind from the wreckage of this damaged love affair.
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Stylistically, Fagan juggles a number of different genres but remains tied to her Americana roots. One glance at the album cover of a cowgirl will make most assume that "Heart Thief" is a straight-shooting country disc. No, not at all, actually. The slow, pretty "Blow," with Brian McIver's soulful piano, leans towards jazz while "Two Strangers" is reminiscent of Suzanne Vega's introspective, mood-spinning folk. "Sweethearted" does fit within those country expectations albeit free from the artificial flavors of modern Nashville.
Stephanie Fagan online
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