Sometymes Why: Your Heart is a Glorious Machine CD review

Your Heart Is A Glorious Machine, the sophomore album from the trio Sometymes Why, is marvelous and harmonious, and even mesmerizing at times. Aoife O’Donovan, Kristin Andreassen, and Ruth Ungar Merenda take turns singing lead on the songs in this collection. They also share the songwriting.

Sometymes Why doesn’t belong in any one genre, and that’s what makes this group so extraordinary. The trio’s music is a mix of bluegrass, folk, and country. Every song in Your Heart Is A Glorious Machine is special, and this listener can’t decide which one is her favorite.

The opening song “Aphrodisiaholic,” aside from having a great title, is a flirty love song with fun metaphors and great lyrics like: “I’m gonna take you home and love you better than Juliet. And honey, you’ll be Romeo, but even sweeter yet.” “Slow Down” and “Diamond” are both a little dark and sentimental.

“The Stupid Kiss” and “Cold Feet Blues” are cool bluegrass tunes, and could pass as Alison Krauss songs. The first one is about crossing the line between friendship and love, while the later would fit nicely at a hoedown.

“Shine It,” with its Dylanesque guitar and harmonica, offers some good advice: “Pick it, dust it off, you can do better. Pick it up, dust it off, and shine it.” The album concludes with “The Sound Asleep,” a sweet and soothing lullaby. It’s a perfect end to a perfect album.

Sometymes Why’s Your Heart Is A Glorious Machine is a piece of art created by three talented ladies. It’s an album that’ll sound good the first time and even better each time after that.

Here they are singing “Cold Feet Blues.”