Paved Country

Reviews

Paradise A Jewel

by Kevin R. Convey, Boston Herald

December 1, 2000

The second album by the Boston-based singer-songwriter team of Marjie Alonso and Sarah Mendelsohn is a gleaming little gem of country-folk.

Less Loretta Lynn and Dottie West than Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, "Deconstructing Paradise" showcases the near-familial, sweet-tart harmonies of Alonso and Mendelsohn, their hooky, pop-smart songs and the tasteful, first-call playing of their supporting musicians.

A natural for Triple-A radio, but accomplished irrespective of format, "Deconstructing Paradise" is a little bit of paradise itself.

"From the opening guitar salvo, full of twang, grit and spirit to the final harmonies this album is an authentic Americana gem. Rarely does one hear an album so packed full of excellent tunes. Who are these guys? Why isn't every radio station playing their tunes? I found myself not only enjoying the music immensely, but wanting to learn these songs to sing them myself. As a measure of how superb songwriters Sarah Mendelsohn and Marjie Alonso are, they cover Merle Haggard's "What Am I Gonna Do" and it fits perfectly. How many artists can stand next to Mr. Haggard and not look weak by comparison? Fortunately the songs recieve the treatment they deserve. Paved Country, joined by what seems like an almost endless of musicians provides a seamless flowing stream that floats the songs into your head. The songs are familiar and fresh, uplifting and heart-tugging. Indigo Girls take note, "Step Away From The Woman" could be your next big hit. The mellow, sliding, twisting, silky sound of the Telecaster wrapping around the vocals as they reach for that pure painful harmony to frame the lyric. The gentle rise and fall of the voices on the wave of a B-3 riding over the crest of the chorus and back down into the verse. This one has all that, pretty much perfect, what else can you say?" -Kevin Slick (Gajoobl.com)

"Country based music with a solid folk influence and a lot of pop sensibility. That's a good description of the music on this 12 song CD. Great female vocals and intelligent lyrics that sometimes remind me of Bonnie Raitt if she grooved to a country folk sound. I have to say that this is definitely music that I don't want to put down. I've listened to this music in an intense fashion, and found myself following along to the words with the lyric sheet. As the music played on, I found myself drifting more into the sound and forgetting about what it was I was supposed to be doing. Now if that's not the sign of good music, I don't know what is. Songs like 'Surprise, Surprise' and 'What am I Gonna Do' pushed the sentimental sounds to the limits of emotional excess. Very passionate songs with great lyrics and refreshing harmonies. That's good music, pure and simple." - Michael Allison (TheGlobalMuse.com)

There is something oddly appropriate about Paved Country's name. The band, essentially the dynamic duo of Marjie Alonso and Sarah Mendelsohn, present the energy and perspective of the city along with the pace and philosophy of the country on its new self-released sophomore gem. Like an estrogen-fueled version of Foster and Lloyd, Alonso and Mendelsohn tear through a set that blends the best elements of pop and rock and country with none of the cloying slickness that often happens in heavier hands. The pair's vocals are the showcase here, with Alonso offering a duskier, smokier take on Mary Chapin Carpenter while Mendelsohn counterpoints with an Emmylou Harris/Cheri Knight brightness.

From the bouncy pop opener "I Wish Our Love Was New" to the sweet version of Merle Haggard's "What Am I Gonna Do" to the electric twang of "Surprise Surprise," Paved Country weaves a well-constructed sonic tapestry of several musical genres without losing its primary thread. -- Brian Baker, CountryStandardTime.com (CD Review Of The Week)

In my humble opinion, Paved Country is the finest country rock act the northeast has to offer. It's no accident either that band founders Marjie Alonso and Sarah Mendelsohn have hired an army of notable hired guns to execute this outstanding CD. Folks like T-Bone Wolk, Ray Mason, Billy Conway, Jim Scoppa, Tom West and a host of others lend their talents to this richly produced project that features twangin' melodies, slick country rhythms and the unrivaled dual vocal work of Alonso and Mendelsohn. Watch out Dixie Chicks ... Paved Country definitely gets my vote for "Country Band of the Year!" --Douglas Sloan, Metronome Magazine

"...It blows me away...the best CD I've heard this year." --Ray Pieters, Belgium Radio