New York-born, Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Laura Pergolizzi (
LP) wisely opens this live EP with her signature track "Into the Wild." Most listeners will recognize the song's soaring chorus ("Somebody left the gate open"), which was used quite effectively in a 2011/2012 Citibank television commercial that resulted in a gold rush of internet hits for the critically successful yet relatively unknown ukulele-playing writer of hits for the likes of
Heidi Montag,
Rihanna, and
Christina Aguilera. Pergolizzi keeps up the momentum going throughout
Into the Wild: Live at Eastwest Studios' five selections, hitting her stride on the gorgeous "Tokyo Sunrise," and bringing things to a typically melodic and satisfying end with the sweeping "Someday." ~ James Christopher Monger