Carolyn Wonderland - Truth Is (2025) CD-Rip

Gritty Blues Fused Americana That Fans of the Blasters and Alvin Brothers Will Love

I must admit, that, while I’d heard of Carolyn Wonderland’s name, her music had, until now, passed me by.
Like her first album, “Tempting Fate”, this sophomore release is produced by the legendary Dave Alvin – who also guests on four tracks.
In style, that makes complete sense, as Wonderland has created an album that scoots across a gamut of roots and Americana styles.

First up, “Sooner or Later” is a thumping dose of stop-start grungy slide Blues Rock and is a list song of what happens in life … eventually, as the title implies.
“I Ain’t Going Back” which follows is percussively heavy in a “We Will Rock You” type vein, but is more Deep South gospel in style, with a searing vocal from Wonderland.
Underscored with organ and laced with gritty lead guitar, it’s a strong political statement raging rightly against attempts to remove women’s rights over their own bodies. This almost segues into the title track which is a guitar showcase that is close in style to the album’s producer’s work… Mr Dave Alvin

Lest you should think that this was going to be an album of white-hot Blues, the tempo dips on “Let’s Play a Game” which is a deep Southern Soul head to head between Wonderland’s emotional vocal and guitar chops. Unlike some Blues shouters/singers that we could mention, Wonderland shows that she is capable of excellent dynamic control too – everything doesn’t have to go to 11.

“Whistlin’ Past the Graveyard Again” is a rye observational 12 bar with a great “if I piss it all away” hook, before it slips into more scorching guitar interplay and back to its tales of living in spite of hardship.
Then, “It Should Take” rhythmically, is straight out of New Orleans with its second line drumming, piano and syncopation.
“Wishful Thinkin” takes the tempo and tone down into a more reflective place. Starting with just vocal, it develops into a radio-friendly melodic slice of 70s Philly Soul – for me, it’s Wonderland’s best vocal on the album too.

From melodic control, the album then takes a handbrake turn into a stomping blues cover of Richard Manuel (The Band)’s “Orange Juice Blues” followed by a similar workout on “Tattoos as his Talisman” before dropping back to the late night brushed shuffle of “Flowers in Bloom”.

“Deepest Ocean Blue” takes a rhythmic trip down to Latin America with some Texicana picking and some sparkling piano – again there’s a pleasant ear for melody – this is one to get folks dancing.
The album draws to a close with the tribute “Blues for Gene”, a fitting homage to the late piano wizard Gene Taylor; the song itself featuring emphatically spanked bluesy ivories.

All in all, this is a delight for fans of the Bluesier end of the Americana spectrum – fans of the Alvin brothers and The Blasters will lap it up. This is the sort of music that often comes over better in a live environment than on record, but Dave Alvin has done a fine job of capturing the essence of Ms. Wonderland’s stellar guitar – and vocal – tones.