Just when I expected another boring New York City singer-songwriter with the same ethereal voice and the same soft-spoken songs about the same old thing, along came Ina May Wool. She has a bit of a growl to her voice, earnest and varied songs, and an almost country feel to her music.

"Down on Tenth Street" is a portrait song about a young woman who has thrown her life away on the streets of New York City. Wool puts an original spin on the concept of girl power in "J'ai Gagne (I Won)," which follows a woman through a life of relationships and decisions. The jubilation gives way to melancholy in "Janis," an ode to Janis Joplin that really captures the tortured existence that ended in tragedy.

"Hotwired & Hungry" is an ode to young love in the city, a beautiful song about foolishness and looking back on teenage lust, on that one person you'll never forget. Wool switches gears for "Don't Wanna Wait," very contemporary pop, upbeat and happy. Wool sings her own background vocals, adding several layers of expression.

Her voice turns gentle and fragile in "Leopard," accepting that two very different people can choose to lay aside differences and love each other: "And I am I am I as I can be / And you are you straight through / And the sum of the parts / Can be difficult some of the time." It is a beautiful song that begs for understanding. Wool has a slightly different perspective on relationships and why they continue in "January Thaw" -- she sings about arguments and making up with a smile in her voice.

The record closes with "Tenth Street Farewell," a jaunty instrumental interpretation of "Down on Tenth Street" that brings to mind a sidewalk cafˇ in Paris. The upbeat musical ending to the record leaves the listener with an impression of positive energy -- even though many of the songs on Moon Over 97th Street deal with melancholy themes and tragedy.

Moon Over 97th Street is a very strong folk-pop recording -- Wool's quirky observations and sweet voice should serve her well in the coming years.

[ by Rachel Jagt ]