AMY RAY
Stag (Daemon)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Amy Ray has long been recognized as the edgy member of the Indigo Girls, the hot sauce in the folk rock stew she whips up with musical partner Emily Saliers. On the side, she's run her own indie, Daemon Records, home to acts like the Rock-A-Teens and Danielle Howle. Howl and the Teens appear on Ray's first solo recording, along with the Butchies and, on a track quaintly entitled "Hey Castrator," an all star wimmen's rock lineup featuring Joan Jett, Kate Schellenback of Luscious Jackson and Josephine Wiggs of the Breeders. Needless to say, Amy has unleashed her edgy side for this one.

If you just can't imagine an Indigo Girl as punker, well, you don't have to. All you have to do is pick this one up and listen. You'll be convinced from the opening track, which features Ray solo, backed only by the sound of her own mandolin. Mandolin, ferkrisesake, and it's still punk as fuck.

An all acoustic album of Indigo Girls folk tunes is on the drawing boards, and that will be nice, but while you're waiting, don't miss out on Amy Ray's DIY effort. It's everything long time fans have imagined it might be, and that's a lot.

Track List:

Johnny Rottentail * Laramie * Lucystoners * Hey Castrator * Late Bloom * Measure Of Me * Black Heart Today * Mtns Of Glory * Lazyboy * On Your Honor

© 2001 - Shaun Dale