A Cautionary Tale sure doesn't come across like an album released in the second decade of the 21st century. Tierney Tough and company seem trapped in an indie time warp, slanted toward but not completely enchanted by music circa the 1990s. The playing is spare and cheaply recorded, and Tough sings delicately with what seems to suggest a confident sneer. Her voice recalls
Mary Timony, Kim Deal, and
Kristin Hersh, but the songwriting and production aren't up to par with her forebears' bands. There are quite a few stylistic changeups, from loungey jazz vibes to nuisance glitch electronic effects, but these genre shifts are more jarring than anything. They suggest a lack of direction. Tough's voice is soothing and often empowering, but it begs for less dated material, more interesting songs, and defter mixing. ~ Tim DiGravina