Lucy Billings

No Other Road (Sassy Time)

No Other Road arrives as an unexpectedly warm debut, ably grouped with Paula Held’s Drive from last year, both albums coming from women who aren’t fresh out of college and/or delivering angsty debuts. Lucy Billings’ heart is in country, albeit with a wry smile and cocked eyebrow – she’s the first to tell you she pens contracts for a living – and her songwriting reflects that cross-experience (“Goodbye Baby,” “Let’s Not and Say We Did,” “Crossroad”). If she comes off as tough and worldly, the little truths in her songs are much more tender.

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This article appears in February 11 • 2011.

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