Amy will soon release her fourth solo CD in less than a decade. “Land Like A Bird” will arrive on Tuesday, March 29th. I must admit that I am most intrigued with her latest effort. During the past ten years, there have been many changes in Amy’s life and musical career. This CD seems to be more introspective and focuses on her personal experiences of traveling, moving on, and dealing with feelings of lost love and nostalgia. The first song on the CD “Drive All Night” deals with the sense of urgency true love can inspire. The title track, “Land Like A Bird,” has a mysterious quality of clandestine uncertainty I had never heard from her music before. Thus, the journey of "Bird" begins.

The third track, “Ghost,” is my favorite song on the disc. The lyrics vaguely remind me of Janis Ian’s coming of age adolescent awakening anthem “At Seventeen." Yet, "Ghost" deals more with mature relationships and the adult realization that we are all inherently different despite the similar emotions we share. Amy's ability to be painfully honest with how people have affected her life even in its most intimate details is impeccable. “Half Asleep & Wide Awake” offers exceptionally expressive lyrics which turn more personal with a story of brief intimacy before moving on. I like her comparison of someone being a “satellite carving out your arc,” while the other will “trail these birds south.” Lyrically, this song seems to be the focal point of the album.

“Change For Me” sounds more like a cry of desperation which features Amy’s beautiful voice and a brief a cappella rendition of the title at the end. "It's Too Late To Call It A Night" is slower and more bluesy. Jonathan Byrd co-wrote this one with Amy. I thought it was an interesting, yet subtle change from the first five songs on the disc. The next song on the CD, "Manila Street," is more nostalgic and reminiscent in nature with incredibly descriptive lyrics about an early love which never fully developed. “Battened Hatches,” written by Chuck E. Costa, is a more tongue-in-cheek look at how lovers can endure impending tragedy with little more than the bare necessities needed to ride out any of the storms of life.

The ninth song on the CD, “Had To Lose,” makes me envious of anyone who can write a song to release the often intensely emotional steam of a lost love. I believe Amy’s best vocal efforts of the disc are vividly displayed on “Galbraith Street” which was written by Ron Sexsmith. There is a sense of pure, deep, passionate emotional expression which is both powerful and sincere. Simply brilliant! After a string of seemingly melancholy, nostalgic, and retrospective songs, Amy returns with “Vertigo.” A song that reminds us that despite all we may have lost in the past, there is still much to be gained in the future - including love.

The final track on the album is “Real Love Song.” This is a duet Amy sings with Neilson Hubbard who produced and mixed "Bird." He also co-wrote many of the songs on the disc. Listening to “Land Like A Bird,” I can imagine a bird flying south for the Winter, then returning in Spring. Again, "Bird" will land on Tuesday, March 29th. This is a very well conceived and produced effort. I highly recommend it.

Note: I am looking forward to hearing Amy perform at SXSW. She will play a Conqueroo showcase at the G&S Lounge on South First around 12:30 pm on Thursday, March 17th. She will also play a Thirty Tigers showcase at St. David's Historic Sanctuary on Friday, March 18th. at 11:00pm. If you aren't attending SXSW, check Amy's website for additional dates and times for a show near you as she goes out on tour promoting her new CD.