Carrie Elkin, “The Penny Collector”
Self-released
Reviewed by: Kim Walter, April 2017

I read a description of Carrie Elkin’s music as “straddling the world of Americana, Roots, Folk and Rock worlds where meaningful song meet the fierce – yet – fragile voice of powerful women." And I thought, BOOM!, that nails it...Fierce yet fragile is what this album is. It spanned both her father’s terminal illness and death, as well as the birth of a new baby. And, while each song is beautiful independently, as an album the songs become repetitive after three or so. Best for me: 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, but not all at once.

1. slow – beautiful vocal depth
2. slow/med – Carrie sound hopeful
3. slow – mainly vocals and gentle accompaniment
4. slow – gentle, almost spiritual vibe
5. slow – clear lyrics with minimal accompaniment
6. slow/med – mellow folk/country rock feel
7. slow – beautiful, develops into gentle rock
8. slow/med – country twang, nice folk rock sound
9. slow – gentle vocally dominant tune
10. slow - beautiful voice with guitar
11. slow – spiritual vibe, layered voices, nice mandolin