KARNEY – Karney Salutes You

KARNEY – Karney Salutes You
CMJ New Music Report – Issue 755 – Mar 25, 2002
by Kristy Martin

San Francisco native Karney channels the spirits of female singer/songwriters past and present on her self-titled debut, including Aimee Mann, Edie Brickell, Concrete Blonde’s

Johnette Napolitano and Pat Benatar. Dark, airy vocals and oozing horn arrangements pepper the singer’s funky style; “Pretty Boy” is acoustic yet soulful, with a tinge of sarcasm, while the single “Shell-Shock Girl” – which has since been remixed for radio – is a plea for world peace (hence the title) highlighted by emotive vocalizing, a bit of friendly singalong that works as a call to arms, all backed by a dancehall interlude courtesy of rapper/producer Stand Out Selector and spunky, boozy guitar riffs. Sax ‘n’ roll flavors “Slap” and “Skippin’ Class,” a cooing anthem about a homeless bohemian woman who takes Ecstasy and goes barefoot. But Karney takes time for life in the slow lane, too: “Mercy” is a slow, loopy ballad a la Edie Brickell’s “What I Am.” Those ladies about to rock, Karney salutes you.

– CMJ NEW MUSIC REPORT – The CMJ Network