Francine Honey is far from a newcomer to the music world and her
Canadian upbringing has proven to be no impediment for her discovering success
on wider United States stages. Her third album To Be Continued… features
the best eleven songs she’s committed to a full length recording and her
songwriting acumen has advanced far since 2014’s Re-Drawn. She is
investing much more of herself than ever before in these new songs and fills
the album with extensive variety few of her contemporaries can readily match. Honey
has found an ideal manifestation of the sound she hears in her head with the
release of To Be Continued… and it will open countless new
vistas for her art moving forward from here.
“Snowflakes on My Eyelashes” is one of the finest poetic moments
included on the release. The sensitivity Honey exhibits as a vocalist elevates
already exceptional lyrics to the level of performed poetry and the nuanced
musical backing further reinforces the composition’s clear strengths. It is a
note perfect introduction to the album – both musically and lyrically. Another
delicate moment on the release arrives with its title track. “To Be Continued”
underlines Honey’s storytelling talents without ever becoming maudlin – I feel
it is a song you can only relate to past your thirtieth birthday and, with each
passing year, its reflections will only gain resonance. The haunted musical
arrangement is well suited for such ruminations. The bridge is particularly
affecting
.
“Honey” takes To
Be Continued… in a tasty bluesy direction without ever succumbing to
the same tired blues clichés often weighing down such efforts. Much of this can
be attributed to the inherent playfulness of her vocal; she owns this lyric
with irrepressible personality and, of course, a wealth of talent. The musicians
acquit themselves quite well and provide gritty, yet tempered, accompaniment.
There’s palpable pathos in the single “Shacked Up Sweetie”,
understated, but plenty of the aforementioned playfulness as well. The song’s
video underlines the playfulness without ever dragging the song into outright
comedy and reminds me of the top shelf promotional fare often attached to some
of the best country singles from the dawn of the genre’s video age in the late
80’s-early 90’s with its celebratory air. It has a light honkytonk sound, again
understated but present, and the band keeps things on point while Honey leads
the way with her powerful voice.
“Mamas Take Bad Dreams Away” reminds me of the carefully wrought
emotional landscape laid out in the opener and title song. It’s a deceptively
simple song insofar as it depicts a scene familiar to many, but the well-chosen
language and vocal artistry she brings to phrasing the lyrics comes together
for one of the album’s most satisfying efforts. The track “Marilyn” is another
of the album’s fine points and packs quite an emotional wallop. The writing
powering this tune, especially lyrically, has some of the deepest nuance you
will hear on To Be Continued… and the band, specifically the
acoustic guitar work, frames everything in a compelling manner for Honey’s
vocal. Francine Honey should be very proud of this album. It risks cliché, but
there is something here for everyone; fun, deadly seriousness, and an abundance
of emotion marking every musical and lyrical turn. To Be Continued… is
her first studio album in a while, but it is undoubtedly worth the wait.
Trace Whittaker
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