Labyrinth

Edmonton native Kerri Anderson loses herself in her own labyrinth on this debut release by trying to wind us down too many musical paths, but the journey is not without its rewards. The packaging, title, and most successful material on the album all point to Anderson's forte as an artisan of superbly atmospheric and introspective pop soundscapes. "I Will Disappear," "Without Me," and the title track, blend acoustic and electric in deft strokes, using a full palette of sonic colours. The first single, "Ghost," features a deliciously haunting chorus tied to a hypnotic, echoing guitar. The hard-edge material is competent, but average. At best it distracts and, at worst, jars uncomfortably with the more fragile sounds. A somewhat schizoid debut, but one that holds promise for the future.