Deanna Cartea – Open Road

March 19, 2012 - Album Reviews - no comments

By Bobby Herron

Deanna Cartea is a Sunshine Coast vocalist with a distinctive style. She’s got one of those voices that are at times 60 per cent air and 40 per cent tone. This, combined with her effortless phrasing, pulled me into the music.

Some of the songs that stand out for me on Open Road are – It’s Another Day with the guitar textures that remind me of Phil Mansanera of Roxy Music, One More Time and Photograph – a dramatic, folky tune which contains one of my favorite instruments – accordion. Deanna’s vocals are both expressive and dreamy at times.

There are several guitar players on this album. All clever and proficient. Sometimes it sounds like a guitar player’s showcase. The guitar that appears most consistent is Deanna’s acoustic. I would have liked the drummer to have advocated for a bigger sound. These are all production comments.

I believe Deanna Cartea should keep making records that contain her winning voice and guitar strumming and her Sunshine Coast brand of tasty songwriting.

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About the author

Bobby spent six years as the frontman of the ska band - The B-Sides. He’’s played  festivals, bars and parties from Portland to Eastern Europle. After three years as co-owner of Jo’s Bar in Prague and a job at Spinner Records in Vancouver, he has settled in the music mecca known as Cumberland, BC. He continues to write, record, produce and perform. He loves spaghetti, his wife and his daughter.