(Control Group) www.controlgroupco.com

Sarah Assbring’s 2006 debut as one woman band El Perro del Mar was one of that year’s most pleasant surprises. With a high, beautiful voice and classic song structures that looked back to the Brill Building and Phil Spector, Assbring’s music seemed like a gift from the past. From the Valley to the Stars is exactly what you’d want from a follow up. All the things that made her debut great remain, but she’s not just resting on her laurels. Her songwriting has become stronger, and her musical palette has expanded. Where her first album focused mostly on guitar and layers of vocals, this one has a more expansive sound, heavy on the piano and organ, with brass, woodwinds and sitar in the mix. Yet, it manages to remain intimate. Like the dog that gave Assbring her stage name, From the Valley to the Stars, is a warm companion you’ll want to curl up with.

Standout Tracks: “Glory to the World,” “To Give Love” HAL BIENSTOCK