Miranda Stone

Item: 7 Deadly Sins
Author: Brian A. Smith

7 Deadly Sins

(2002)

Reviewed by Brian A. Smith

Discogs Bandcamp

Label Earthdress ProductionsThe Phantom Tollbooth2002

acoustic alternative folk folk rock singer-songwriter

Miranda Stone is an artist who should be ranked alongside Victoria Williams and Ani DiFranco, singer/songwriters who manage to find a unique perspective on the everyday events, put their own twist on it, then say exactly what we feel, using words we never would have thought of.

"20/20 in the Morning" opens the disc, describing the struggle with the one, persistent problem that seemingly cannot be conquered. The subject here pours salt into her own wounds:

My umbrella at home in the closet with my disguise
Wind and rain wash away all the stains
That I made in my lap when I closed my eyes
This time was the last time...

"Remedy" is an almost bluesy tune in the Ashley Cleveland mode. "Non-Dysfunctional Lovesong" is a Bonnie Raitt soundalike that could be likened to VOL's "Love Cocoon," but after stating what she wants to do, Stone reminds us that "it's so hard to wait". "Power of One" dwells here musically as well -- it would be easy to picture this sung by Sheryl Crow or the Indigo Girls.

Confusion and contradiction are the theme of "Emotions are a School Bus with a Drunkard at the Wheel." It asks the scary questions that have plagued us all at one point or another:

How can you love another person if you haven't truly learned to love yourself?
How do you ever find forgiveness if you've never learned to pardon someone else?
And can you learn what generosity is even when you still deny your need?
How do you ever get a meal if all you do is bite the hand that feeds?

In one paragraph, Stone manages to sum up the thoughts that keep us up at night.

For the sake of saving space, I will not describe every song on this album. There is nothing here Alanis Morissette or Tori Amos wouldn't be proud to call her own. Miranda Stone could be the headliner in my imaginary festival of underrated female artists: Beki Hemingway, Eileen Rose, Rachel Kurtz, Victoria Williams, Julie Miller, and Debra Soule also come to mind.

7 Deadly Sins is an amazing piece. Miranda Stone opens a vein and lets her emotions bleed -- and we are the better for it. Stone is an artist who up until now managed to sink below my radar -- a grievous error on my part.

4.5 tocks