“A Long Way Home” is a gorgeous song that washes over you and is reminiscent of Joni Mitchell.

Stephanie Brickey comes across as a very quiet and sensitive girl. This is apparent in the self-titled album from A Room Away. Brickey raises her voice to fully encompass the music rarely, but when she does, it is sort of a shock. When the song “Sensitive Girl” comes on, you wonder if you are listening to the same band. Suddenly, you are confronted with a woman possessed, a woman who is there to make her point. If it makes A Room Away a little uneven, it also brings out the quality of some of the better songs.

“A Long Way Home” is a gorgeous song that washes over you and is reminiscent of Joni Mitchell. “Try As You Might” offers a calm, waltzing conclusion to the CD. A Room Away is an album to listen to closely because you might miss the obvious in the subtle nature of Brickey’s singing. Playing by both Mike Hellbusch (guitar) and Dave Brickey (bass) shows that the band is tight and growing in skill with several standout solos. The lyrics are good and promise more and better results in future endeavors.

This CD is available by visiting the band’s Web site at www.brickhouse-acoustics.com/ara.html