Melissa Greener 'Transistor Corazón' - Gumptionsong

The androgynous, cowboy-shirted lady on the cover may talk of transistorised hearts but her music shows her real heart. Produced in Nashville by Brad Jones, this is an album that is more contemporary singer-songwriter than roots/country. The sound employs a wide range of instruments which mixes mandolin and banjo with loops and synth sounds alongside brass and strings. 

Greener has a clear and concise voice that delivers her poetic songs with verve. She draws you into a world that is sensitive to the vibrations that surround her. Ghost in the Van talks of a lover who is ethereal yet real. Greener has written many of the songs, either solo or with a writing partner, and also includes her versions of If I Fel, l the Lennon/McCartney song - which she gives a delicate pure reading of - and Jesse Winchester's That's What Makes You Strong which sit alongside her own songs with ease. The music is understated and gives her voice its place as the focus of the music which is folk–tinged,  melodic and lyrical. The album closes with Inisheer, co-written with Kyra Shaughnessy which has a love for the west coast of Ireland and that feeling permeates the song. 

Transistor Corazón has the potential for wide appeal and musically is somewhat at odds with the title and cover image, yet that may well be the thing that draws a potential listener to its real heart.