Nearly every song ultimately discards the dark romance of self pity, turning hard knocks into sounds of promise. This is an album for survivors” -The Boston Globe A Crash Course in Roses finds Boston-based singer-songwriter Catie Curtis streamlining the sound that made her 1997 self-titled release a critical breakthrough. Eschewing lush string and horn arrangements, she allows her songwriting and singing to take center stage on this 13-song set of midtempo, acoustic-flavored folk-pop. An excellent group of musicians (including Morphine drummer Billy Conway) create an intimate backdrop for Curtis’s warm, enticing voice. The spare, no-frills arrangements complement the simple honesty of love songs such as “Gave Me Love” and “Magnolia Street.” Track Listing: 1 Gave Me Love 3:15 2 World Don’t Owe Me 3:58 3 100 Miles 5:04 4 Fall Away 3:14 5 Wise to the Ways 4:46 6 What’s the Matter 3:19 7 I’ll Cover You 4:37 8 Burn Your Own House Down 3:56 9 Roses 4:52 10 Look at You Now 4:09 11 Stay Up All Night 3:16 12 Magnolia Street 4:05 13 Start Again 7:14
