Mirrors & Windows

1	Blackberry Winter 4:12
2	Maybe 3:16
3	Seabord Train 4:12
4	Ice Melts 3:36
5	Out of My Blood 4:48
6	Woman I Used to Be 4:54
7	Other Side of the Bed 4:06
8	Pillow Like a Stone 4:01
9	Miracle 4:27
10	Love Like Yours & Mine 3:45

Barnes & Noble

Dulcie Taylor's 2003 debut, Diamond & Glass, was an impressive statement, but her follow-up is a real knockout, marking the singer-songwriter's ongoing growth. Taylor has upped the craftsmanship in her lyrics, which are more succinct though just as poetic as on the previous album, while vocally she shows off a bluesy side that wasn't so apparent from the folk and country stylings she advanced before. She's also broadened the scope of her original songs, such as "Blackberry Winter," marked by jangly, Byrdisan, melodic guitar lines that turn out to be the ideal setup for her sly country drawl on the key lyric, "Sometimes love can be surprising / just when you think you seen it all." Taylor summons vintage Muscle Shoals R&B in the deliciously suggestive, groove-driven "Maybe," enriched by pungent guitar protests, a deep-bottomed organ, and a sultry female chorus, while she draws on blues harp, Duke Levine's stinging slide guitar retorts, and a responsive chorus of deep male voices to heighten the gospel flavor of "Seaboard Train." An acutely observed memoir of fading love, "Ice Melts" rolls out languorously on a soundscape of lightly strummed acoustic guitar, weeping harmonica, and honky-tonk piano; it's beautiful and spare as an Appalachian hymn. Taylor puts all the pieces together on this exhilarating outing, mating deeply felt vocals, humor, heart, and inspired musical choices -- it's the work of someone who has the makings of a major artist in her. David McGee

All Music Guide

One of the things that sinks many a singer/songwriter is that they fail to tie their word poems to a musical vision and good melodies. And while nothing is wrong with literary songwriting, an occasional hook, or catchy chorus goes a long way toward keeping the listener awake. Dulcie Taylor, like any singer/songwriter worth his/her salt, has something to say about relationships and understanding ourselves, but she doesn't forget to add some interesting ingredients into the musical stew. A slow, bluesy guitar; ethereal background vocals; and a hollow drum add just the right atmospheric touch to the mysterious "Woman I Used to Be." On "Maybe" -- one of the album's strongest tracks -- Duke Levine's guitar work and Michael Bellar's Hammond B3 provide a nice soulful underpinning. The song is further enhanced by chords that subtly shift, giving the lyric an extra emotional kick. Even deep into Mirrors & Windows, Taylor dishes up "Pillow Like a Stone," a kiss-off packaged as a fun bit of rock & roll. To top it all off, Taylor's a good singer who fills her songs with emotion while the shifting cast of bandmembers offers a sympathetic foundation. Mirrors & Windows is a solid singer/songwriter effort that reaches beyond the usual clichés of the genre. Ronnie D. Lankford Jr.