Albuquerque Weekly Alibi, July 2001

"SHOW UP"

(on Willow)

Her voice has both the strength of a raging tornado and the grace of a light breeze on a summer afternoon, and Willow doesn't make the slightest attempt to hide what she is thinking or feeling.

As the daughter of a preacher and a woman who has survived many recent personal struggles, Willow allows her confusion and sorrow a voice to help sort through the themes of madness, redemption and despair, which appear and re-appear in her songs. Instead of evoking pity for the singer, this darkness brings about an overpowering urge to cheer on the underdog. Maybe that's because most of us have struggled with the same types of uncertainty and sorrow at some point in the past.

Tori Amos fans might find themselves drawn to Willow, or wondering if the similarity between the two is intentional on Willow's part. The phrasing and musicality of Willow's latest CD Sweet Dark Demon bring about the same quiet anger and moodiness Amos has become known for through the years. But, on guitar rather than piano, and much less venom in her bite. Willow does find ad produce her own unique ambiance.

 Written by Rachel Heisler

© 2001 All rights reserved.