With Michelle Shocked soul, Amy Speace & the Tearjerks lay down Songs for Bright Street, an American Folk album that lands near Shawn Colvin, Eliza Gilkyson, Catie Curtis, and Lucy Kaplansky, but could just as well be Country-influenced Rock or Blues Rock at times. Speace can speak like Ani Difranco, but she can also croon like Susan Tedeshci (“Not the Heartless Kind”). Lead guitarist/producer James Mastro works his magic like Bo Ramsey to Greg Brown. Embraced by the grass-roots crowd, there’s more here than just another Alison Krauss. “Shed This Skin” is like June Carter Cash with Maria McKee.

Thanks to Amy Speace and Wildflower Records for the review CD.