There is a small club of singer / songwriters that has been making records for decades and actually never disappoints. Eliza Gilkyson made her first record in 1969, although her career only really took off in the early nineties. Since then the Texan has made quite a few albums, all examples of perfectly executed Americana. Constant quality can indicate a lack of originality and a sense of innovation.
Although Roses At The End Of Time picks up where Beautiful World (2008) ended, fortunately enough new ground is being mined. For example, Belle Of The Ball is adorned by synthesizers and drum loops, not really common in her oeuvre. There are also a few news in the lyrics. Besides the fun references to iTunes and Twitter, Gilkyson pushes her boundaries by singing Vayan Al Norte's chorus in Spanish. Small changes in style like these make Roses At The End Of Time a fresh listening experience. Of course, this is also due to the standard elements in the Gilkyson repertoire: she sings fantastic and lets the listener become a part of her life through her lyrics. (JE)more
