Paper Doll
Samantha Fish
Paper Doll has nine songs, and Samantha Fish makes the most of them. The record moves easily between tough guitar rock, slower blues and warmer melodic passages. It also gives her voice as much attention as her guitar, which turns out to be a very good decision.
I'm Done Runnin' starts with a firm groove and a strong sense of purpose. Fish sounds clear and confident, and the chorus has enough shape to remain in your head after the guitar part has finished. Can Ya Handle the Heat? follows with a more playful attitude. The rhythm gives her room to move around the words, and the song has a useful looseness to it.
Recording with her touring band helps the album feel connected. The instruments respond to one another rather than simply keeping their assigned space, and producer Bobby Harlow lets that movement come through. You can hear why these particular musicians work well together without needing the songs to turn into long demonstrations.
Lose You slows the pace and gives the voice more of the emotional work. Fish handles it well. There is force in the delivery, but she doesn't use the same amount on every line. Sweet Southern Sounds makes a similarly strong impression through its patient feel and expressive guitar playing. The solo matters because of the song around it.
The record also has room for a softer lift in Off in the Blue and a rougher edge on Rusty Razor, featuring Mick Collins. Those changes keep the album active without making it feel as though it is searching for an identity. Fish sounds comfortable carrying several sides of her music at once.
The appeal here goes beyond how well she plays. Paper Doll is built around concise songs with different moods and clear ideas. Don't Say It brings that approach to a lighter, effective finish.
If your idea of blues rock is a long wait between solos, this album is a useful correction. Fish can deliver the guitar moments, certainly, but the singing and songwriting give you plenty of reasons to stay for the whole record.
