I've been reading her wonderful book, "Living the Questions," and I've greatly enjoyed her earlier albums, so I came to "Pollyanna's Attic" with high expectations. But Carolyn Arends exceeded them. In a word, her album is powerful. In more words, it is stunningly, movingly powerful.
It's all Arends right outta the box with clever opener "Just Pretending," rocking with a bluegrass feel, stinging lyrics, and twangy vocals that ask the obvious question "why don't we just be who we are?" Indeed. The next highlight comes quickly with "What in the World," an acoustic cry against the darkness, not just in the world, but within our own hearts. I loved the comforting Scriptural refrain, "Greater is He that is in me." "The Wasteland" is another gentle rocker with the Arends touch all over its cunning lyrics: "You can give us your justice, but we'll only defy it/ You can give us salvation, but we'll just crucify it/ Still you rise from the ruins and You promise us a day when/ You'll lead us away from the Wasteland." She's in the truth-telling class of Derek Webb and Sara Groves and she shares their gift of offering it up in the most palatable of forms. I've read charges of "pessimism and darkness" against this album for that very gift, and I couldn't disagree more. Her perspective is not dark, but true; her power lies in her ability to comment honestly while still delivering her message within the context of beauty, optimism, and faith. I didn't find this album to be a downer; just the opposite. It filled me with hope.
The lovely and moving "Land of the Living" is based on Psalm 27:13, proclaiming the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Part of its considerable power lies in its willingness to face and express the seasons of doubt that confound us all at one time or another. Arends is fearless in her examination, affirming once again her confidence in God's presence. I LOVED Carolyn's electric jam with her brother Chris Jonat on the biting "Everybody Wants Everything." The Dylan-worthy lyrics ride a throbbing melody line in this twangy rant against our overly image-conscious culture. "More is Less" shrewdly attacks our materialism while still managing to highlight her lovely, husky vocals, which shine throughout the entire project. These soft tones play perfectly against the understated vocal appearance of Layton Howerton on "Not Alone," giving a slight Tom Waits feel to the song. "No Trespassing" is a prime example of Arends' powerful songwriting chops. She holds her own against the best. Pierce Pettis' "I've Got a Hope" was an interesting choice to close. A simple piano ballad, it offers hope bathed in simple beauty, the theme that shines through this truthful commentary on the culture. "Pollyanna's Attic" is another major score for Carolyn Arends, one of our best.
