Ripely Pine
Portland, ME
(Ba Da Bing Records)
“Studio debut album brings new light to live favorites”
It’s always curious when musicians release two full-length albums, separated by several years, and the second contains a number of songs that were on the previous release. But that’s what Aly Spaltro – also known as Lady Lamb the Beekeeper – did with her latest release, Ripely Pine. Seven of the songs were on her 2010 release, Mammoth Swoon. And it’s not that they’re bad songs – they’re not. Spaltro has an unbelievable knack for penning lyrics and arranging music.
“Crane Your Neck” and “Bird Balloons” in particular showcase her ferocity in songwriting, instrumentation and singing. It’s understandable why she let the songs do double duty, as Spaltro left behind her DIY model and took on the challenges of making her first proper studio album. But there aren’t vast differences in the re-worked tunes. A little reverb here and there and instrumentation differences, but overall, no Earth-shattering changes.
The previously unreleased songs on Ripely Pine make you long for more – and Spaltro clearly has the fire inside of her to create more. All in all, Ripely Pine is a great album from a remarkably talented young musician. It just would have been nice to get a new(er) one from her.
Engineered and Produced by Nassim Issa in Brooklyn
Assisted by Drew Guido
Mastered by Joe LaPorta at The Lodge
www.ladylambthebeekeeper.com