PepperAlley

Samantha Murphy does girl rock the way it's supposed to be. On her 2005 release, Somewhere Between Starving and Stardom, this LA songstress weaves all the elements together— deeply emotional lyrics, crystal clean vocal performances and a criss-cross sound that easily moves between acoustic guitars and a grittier articulation. The disc kicks off with one of the album's best tracks, the cynical kiss off song, "Miss Takes." On this one Samantha decries, "Bye bye, I don't miss you now you're gone/ Are you scared to be alone?" It's a perfect hook and an unapologetic look back at a relationship that never should have happened in the first place. Backed by a tight acoustic/ electric rock band, the sound at times lilts towards a more acoustic tone. "Flowersandfireflies" and "The Best Thing" drop the volume into a quiet reflection after the band feedbacks into "At the Laundr-O-Mat." Mixing sweetness with searing distortion this one charts with its impossibly catchy hook. Samantha Murphy proves that once again another worthy indie spirit breathes beneath the heartbeat of the mainstream. Somewhere Between Starving and Stardom rings true with golden grit and the pure emotional hooks of this fabulous singer/ songwriter.