Album Review: Syd Carter West, Self-Titled

There are some singers that leave a bit left in their vocal gas tank and then there are others that are full bore from the opening seconds of a track. Syd Carter West falls into that latter category with head-turning prowess. The Vancouver-area belter grabs the listener instantly on the groovy "No Games" that is comparable to her heroes like Amanda Marshall and Melissa Etheridge.

West also captivates with a swagger recalling Reba or Wynonna in their prime, particularly on the slow, bluesy crawl oozing from "Cheaters." The song, which West recently made a video for, soars thanks to her pipes, particularly in the bridge. As strong as that tune is the high water mark is the pop-by-numbers approach on "I'm Okay" that she effortlessly takes the reins on.

The centrepiece here is "Hollow Man", featuring Harpdog Brown, which sees West toning it down a notch and letting the harmonica carry the load a little bit more. Probably the biggest question here is how the ballad "Warrior" closes the release and doesn't leave on a high note. So, in the end, does West make the most of this first chapter in her career? To steal a line from her: "Hell Yeah!"

Syd Carter West was released October 16, 2020.
Listen to it here.