A Little Girl

A strong sophomore effort, Alecia Nugent's A Little Girl/ A Big Four-Lane offers something for both traditional bluegrass enthusiasts and modern country lovers. Mixing lively foot-stompers with mournful ballads, Nugent weaves a great musical tapestry keeping close to the bluegrass aesthetic with a hint of modernity. The songwriting is solid, and there is no doubting the excellent musicianship of her band. Alecia's voice is sweet and strong, a mix of honey and whiskey, emoting the depths of loneliness and sadness, but still able to soar on light-hearted playful numbers.

While this record may not be for everyone, those who are bluegrass aficionados will thoroughly enjoy this new Louisiana talent as will anyone who appreciates expressive singers and quality musical performances. Some standout tracks worth a listen are the bluesy "Muddy River," her duet with Bradley Walker "When It Comes Down to Us (It's All Up to You)" and the driving "Breaking New Ground." Overall A Little Girl/ A Big Four-Lane is a solid effort.