Most of the songs on Rose Laughlin's House of Memory are of a similar style, but even the ones that are markedly different fit in well as a whole. It is insufficient to say the songs are folk, but if you were to imagine the songs one might hear in a circle around a camp fire, these might come close to that. Well, most of the songs, that is, as there is some jazz in the mix as well.

The music for "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is very sparse, coming almost to a standstill at places, with lyrics that drift more than soar so the song comes out very dreamlike. The guitar sets a more driven beat to open "Pastures of Plenty," a tempo that carries into the singing. The music flows very smoothly into "Across the Blue Mountains," as the traditional song is treated very gracefully. And while "New Homeland" is a new song, it fits in quite well with both previous selections.

There is a smoky edge to Laughlin's voice in "Black is the Color," which brings out the full passion of the song quite well. While "House of Memory" is more modern in feel, it flows so smoothly as the story unfolds. The phrasing of "My Love is Like a Red Red Rose" is similar to that of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" in style, which sets it in contrast to the songs between the two. Then there is another flip with the bluegrass feel of "Shady Grove."

The broken, drifting delivery returns with "Suzanne," and Laughlin makes it work for her, letting it add a rawness to the song. There is a quiet beauty in "Across the Great Divide," the delivery makes the lines feel more connected to each other. "Angel Band" is an a capella number that is pure gospel. The bagpipes that accompany "Broom of the Cowdenknowes" help set the mood of the song, and emphasize the traditional feel that runs through most of the CD.