A handsome young lady who writes her own songs, records an album with Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach, and chooses unadulterated retro sound that echoes folk and gospel. Then you have the older, 'serious' music lover (read: Jools Holland, the editors of Mojo and Rolling Stone) by the scrapes. Yet Valerie June Hockett is more than just another new sweet. She has already released three albums
… independently, and she had to keep all kinds of shitty jobs for years in order to save money to pay for the recordings. "It felt like I was pushing against a stone the whole time," said the singer who also found the inspiration for the title of this CD. Setback or not, on Pushin 'Against A Stone Valerie June knows how to crystallize her sound perfectly. First of all there is that unique voice, a bit hoarse and bluesy, with which she knows how to distinguish herself from the majority of the singers. Some songs tend to be more soulful (the languid Wanne Be On Your Mind) while other songs are more country, such as Tennessee Time, but all songs sparkle. We are bound to hear more from this talented singer. (PdK)more
