Rebel Kind

Prime Cuts: Wake Up, Be My Angel, Heartache

Listening to Brock's new CD is like reading a punctilious diary of a thirty-something woman. With a forthright perspicuity, this Canadian country artist shares with us her antidote for a jealous boyfriend, her preference for a man in cowboy boots and Levis, and her ways of dealing with aging. Not only does the material of this album engage with the woes and bliss of reality, Brock's vocals embraces a seasoned realism. This is a lady who sings as if she understands and lives every note. Further, vocally she strikes the right balance between the tuff-chick attitude of a Gretchen Wilson as well as possessing the feminine vulnerability of say a Martina McBride. "Rebel Kind," though not this chanteuse's first album, is her first foray into country with a rocking edge. Released under the Pacific Music/Warner Brothers imprint, this is mostly a self-contained effort with Brock and co-producer penning most of the tracks. However, a few other co-writers are also enlisted, most notable being Jeff Cohen (who also co-write Big and Rich's smash "Holy Water.")

Current single "Cowboy Boots and Levis" is a guitar-driven, hard-edged rocker brings us to a ladies' night with Brock and her party crowd giving a young Levi wearing dude the holler. Not ready to call it a night, on the rowdy "(DJ Play a) Drinking Song" Brock coos her musical preference over a catchy tune. A highlight as far as the more upbeat moments go is "Be My Angel," coming from the pen of co-producer Craig Zurba. The gentle strumming of the guitar over a lilting melody "Be My Angel" has a genuine innocence about the first flush of love that is ultra romantic.

Just as life is never always jovial, "Single and Lovin' It," with its snarling electric guitars, is a bitter diatribe about having burnt by love. Again showing attitude is the harmonica-laced "Walk the Talk," a bluesy rocker with Brock standing up to her man to make love an action verb. For sheer heart tugging beauty, Lowell George's chestnut "Heartache," one of the few songs not written by Brock, hits all the right emotional chords, thanks to Brock's heartfelt delivery over its doleful sounding steel guitars. "Vegas," though not as heart shattering, is a tenderhearted tearjerker of a disillusion paramour coming from the pens of Brock and the aforementioned Cohen.

Though a few more ballads in the likes of "Heartache" would be welcome, this is still a sturdy effort. Most impressive though is Brock's songwriting: she has that uncanny gift to set real life to music. Never a dull moment, this is a 12-song collection that explores and expounds life in such a way that ought to shed a tear or/and bring a smile to anyone who has had lived life. Further, the production and musicianship are top-notched. Though not your usual Nashville A-list session players, they show aptitude for great playing, such as they know when to pull the stops and when to rein it all in. After hearing this CD, it ain't that bad being the rebel kind.