GOLDMINE: INDIE LABEL SPOTLIGHT
- reviewed by Gillian G. Gaar

Singer/Songwriter Anny Celsi's Little Black Dress & Other Stories is, as its title implies, a collection of story-songs, all from the more downbeat end of the strip. Love is the primary subject matter of course -- lost or broken or badly in need of a little TLC itself. 

Celsi has a light, clear voice, but she still manages to convey a sense of melancholy throughout. "Summer Fling" might have the title of a light-hearted pop song and might have the bouncy beat to match, but lyrically it's a whole other story.  "I've got nothing to bring to a summer fling," Celsi sings, a line with the potential to drown in its own hopelessness, but Celsi gives it a breezy delivery that keeps things from getting too maudlin.

There's a surprising array of musical styles on display, from the cool jazz of "All I'm Gonna Say" to the country influences evident on "It Hurts/My Heart/To Hear/Your Voice" and "Shut Out The Shine," to the pop-rock of "Can't Win Em All" and "No Time Like Now."  There's a sense of humor at work, too.  "I can make it through the evening/as long as my stockings are straight," Celsi sings on the title track (and check out the pulp-novel styled cover art).  Overall, a nice collection from the indie side of the street with enough twists to keep listeners interested.