Sharon Van Etten - Epic (CD)

I've heard this a few times and it's totally got under my skin. It's weird how some singer-songwriter stuff just connects with you and others don't. I find it's largely pretty samey music but occasionally something will come along which does it for me. Though it's not all as straight forward as guitar and vocals as there's drums, piano, lap steel and a trio of backing vocalists including one Meg Baird of Espers. I think what appeals is she's just a great songwriter and she's got a gorgeous voice. She sounds just like someone and it's totally evading me and doing my head in. It'll come back to me..... It veers into country rock territory at times and then she'll disappear into some sort of drifty Low / Mazzy Star-esque moment and before you know it you press play again and you're hooked. I'm not alone as Bon Iver and The National are fans and have covered tracks live by her. Excellent stuff!