Artist:    Plumb
Label:  Curb Records

It’s been nearly four years since we reveled in the sweet bliss of Tiffany Arbuckle Lee's captivating lyrics and powerfully poignant vocals.  Now simply known as “Plumb” (think “Pink”), she returns to the limelight with her Curb Records debut, Beautiful Lumps of Coal.

Plumb’s delivery on Lumps is nothing short of breathtaking.  Opening cut, “Free,” captivates the listener’s ear with a smooth guitar riff that is only bettered when the singer’s whispery voice embraces the first line, “You thought you had me all tied up in a little knot/You thought I’d go on living just like you until you asked me nicely to stop/But surprise…I’m Free.”  This attitude-fringed song is a delightful introduction to an album full of musical diary entries.

Carefully painted images and fully explained destructive situations are the rule here.  When Plumb senses pain, the listener feels it.  Her pensive yet fearless lyrics attack sexual abuse, marital struggle, alcoholism and love all in the same song at times.

This album boasts moments of tough-girl rock anthems about freedom (“Walk Away”) and softer moments of tears and desperation that focus on grace (“Sink 'n' Swim”, “Nice, Naïve and Beautiful”).  Heavy guitars and floating strings accent each epic nicely.

Beautiful Lumps of Coal is an exhausting--though welcomed--journey into the life and mind of this talented songwriter.  Plumb shows maturity and depth in her ability to tell a story, and she presents that story with near-perfection.

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