Casey Dienel

Wind-Up Canary

(HUSH)

Record Review by Janelle Finamore

Wind-Up Canary portrays Casey Dienel’s honest lyrics using an amalgam of sounds and melodies that float over blissful piano compositions. This is Dienel’s first recording ever and she sacrificed finishing school for this album, which appears to be well worth it. Some of the topics she writes about are:  cabin fever, coffee beaneries, embroidery, and stationary. “Chewin aspirin like M & M’s, anything to dull the pain” is one of her clever lines from a song called “Old Man.” Her recordings are not overly produced; rather, they are bareboned, revealing her raw talent and creativity.  Her music is entertaining because of its idiosyncratic style and memorable melodies.

“Coffee Beanery” consists of a soothing vocal accompanied by staccato chords and a slow, peaceful piano part that floods the middle part of the song. The lyrics of the chorus are, “All that you build will probably fall someday. Then you’ll be left with only [a] Polaroid. So, what I want to know is when the sky caves in, who’s gonna pick up the pieces then?” This line may not make sense to the reader, but to listen to it sung is a puzzle piece put together. Again, she finds imaginative ways to entertain and explain her story.

The best song on the album, “La, La Song,” incorporates soft, breathy vocals into a sweet ballad. There is an unforgettable melody on “la la la” at the end of the piece. If this is how the canary sings, then keep it winding!