Pitchfork

After getting her start playing on the platforms of The T in Boston, Mary Lou Lord has been easing into the national music scene. Although Lord went to Berklee College of Music while in Boston, she kept drifting back to the platforms, sometimes setting up in Harvard Square, eventually earning a reputation as a tireless performer.

On her first full-length release, Got No Shadow, Lord knows what got into her. If anyone stood and played this album straight through on a subway platform, there would be people falling asleep all over the place. A collection of songs that is solid yet unremarkable, Shadow was co-written with Nick Saloman, (of Bevis Frond fame). The songs are similar and familiar, and often sound tired. There are a few flashes of life, like on the album's first single, "Lights Are Changing," or on the Wilco- esque "Shake Sugaree".

The instrumentation is smart and comes in 32 flavors, but it's hard. I don't think a drum and bass DJ could give spark to this album. There are several guest intrumentalists, including Shawn Colvin, Roger McGuinn, Elliott Smith, and Beastie Boys keyboardist Money Mark. The performances are sometimes brilliant, but again, it's hard to overcome the material at times.

Until Mary Lou Lord finds salvation, her songs may remain quiet little fables, and there's nothing wrong with that. However, even if Uncle Remus tied me down and read stories to me, it would eventually get old. If you're going be operating any heavy machinery, pass on this one.