Ambitious concept albums can, in some cases, become too ambitious for their own good. But this self-titled release by the East Coast folk-rock/adult alternative group
Girls in Trouble is a perfect example of a concept album that, for all its ambition and intrigue, is fairly accessible and not difficult to absorb. The concept that singer/songwriter
Alicia Jo Rabins (founder/leader of
Girls in Trouble) had in mind for this 2009 release was an album of songs about women in the Bible.
Rabins herself is Jewish, and she spent two years studying the Bible and other Jewish literature in the ancient city of Jerusalem. But
Rabins (who wrote or co-wrote all of the material and is heard on acoustic guitar, electric guitar, violin, and viola) didn't create an album that only Jewish scholars will be able to get into -- not at all.
Rabins sees to it that the material is not only intriguing lyrically, but also, very easy to enjoy on a melodic/harmonic level. So even if one doesn't know a lot about Judaism - -even if one has never read the Old Testament -- organic-sounding tracks such as "A Lion at Rest," "Marble Floor," and "I Was a Desert" are very easy for folk-rock and adult alternative enthusiasts to enjoy. Sure, a listener who is intrigued by
Rabins' lyrics might be inspired to do some digging and find out more about the ancient Biblical women she is describing. But it is
Rabins' expressive vocals and her appealing sense of melody and harmony that make the material as addictive as it is. Her intriguing lyrics are an added bonus on this thoughtful effort. ~ Alex Henderson