With a voice like an angel, Paula Tozer’s work is hard to forget. It’s also hard to pin down into one genre. I found her amazing voice and mesmerizing lyrics incredible; her sound is a happy quilt of bluegrass, folk, Americana, country and even pop music.
The title track reminded me of the somberness in Richard Marx’s “Hazard.” Not for lyrical content, but its emotion. It’s a song that stays with you. Tozer’s voice makes things like that happen, you know. Her voice leads you down a musical road equipped with a bluesy-guitar bridge solo. “Cain’s Regret” is a masterful piece.
In “Perditions Toll” the fiddle takes a bit more of the spotlight from Tozer’s vocal prowess. The lyrics are delivered with such ease, such subtle storytelling that I felt like I could close my eyes and imagine a world long ago, where this ‘western’ town woman can’t break away from her lover. Dolly Parton would be so proud.
“This River Of My Tears” is softer, and blooms with a bright acoustic guitar. Tozer’s voice flows like a new sundress; at one point she sings “pierce me with your smile” and the listener feels as though that man is right in front of their eyes.
Tozer really soars in “Cain’s Regret.” This EP is fantastic and such a bright, melodic collection. Tozer’s masterful songwriting and beautiful delivery make listening to her songs as lovely as falling asleep watching the sunset from a porch swing.
