Originally published in Verbicide issue #6

Once in awhile I run across an album that sounds like it wasn’t recorded for the benefit of the rest of us, and Oregon is one of them. It’s the second full-length solo album by Kaia Wilson, and it’s full of acoustic guitar slight-of-hand and gentle vocals that get real big without having to try.

Favorite tracks are “Mira” and “Leo,” which are very different from each other. “Mira” shows off a steel guitar, great backing vocals, and tells a story. “Leo” is tiny, whispered lyrics and lightly picked notes. These songs show the range of the album. It’s very girly, but not to the extent of Jewel or Ani DiFranco. Somewhere in between.

(Mr. Lady Records, PO Box 3189, Durham, NC 27715)