Fossils (180g LP)

"Aoife O'Donovan's Fossils may technically be a debut, but long before it arrived, the Boston singer-songwriter built up a long and impressive resume that includes performing with progressive bluegrass group Crooked Still, collaborating with members of Nickel Creek and Punch Brothers, and touring with Garrison Keillor's radio variety show, "A Prairie Home Companion." So her first proper solo album is actually that of a seasoned and experienced performer - one whose haunting folk tunes are beautifully matched by her own mellifluous vocals. And in that sense, Fossils is ultimately a gallery of highlights, among them the gentle opening string plucks of "Lay My Burden Down," the gritty country rock of "Beekeeper," the barn-burning "Fire Engine," and the hypnotic and layered arrangement of "Briar Rose." I could go on, but here's the gist - not a second of Fossils' 40 minutes is wasted." - American Songwriter