I’m a sucker for sensual female voices, or – for that matter – for any exceptional female voice. Whether it’s Joni Mitchell, Dusty Springfield or less known singers as Lisa Mednick or Carla Cook, I really love the nuances and emotions they express with their voice. That’s why I’m so excited with the brand new self-titled EP by the American altcountry band The Flutterbies featuring the ravishing Maureen Davis. Trust me; this is a band with lots of potential.

Maureen Davis’ voice has all the great qualities of singers like Lucy Kalplansky, Pat Benatar (especially when she ‘belts out’), and Sue Foley while the guys in the band create a solid yet playful foundation.

Opener ‘Louder, Louder’ does what it promises: crashing guitars, a very tight playing rhythm section, and a fiery Maureen Davis deliver a powerful song with a distinct wink to The Pretenders. On the other hand a song like ‘Hummingbird Heart’ shows that this band also has a feeling for refinement. The delightful arrangement of this song offers Davis’ voice all the opportunities it needs to stand out. 

‘How I Get Over You’ and ‘Kill You With Words’ need to be played a full volume. These songs rock like a freight train gone berserk and Davis outclasses the like s of Pat Benatar by far. In between the band play one of their two truly classy songs: ‘Faith In The Rain’, a superb country waltz with sparkling instruments and a dazzling voice. The second classy song is ‘Damn Glad’, a seemingly simple ballad with highly sensitive vocals by Maureen Davis.

Just six songs and it’s over. May we ask for more next time?

(Martin Overheul on www.altcountryforum.nl)
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Bands and musicians like Wilco and Ryan Adams have helped me see the light, and now there’s a female alt-country counter-part on the rise. Maureen Davis [and The Flutterbies] has received tremendous praise for successfully blending the two genres. Davis is the whole package: soul-stirring vocals, provocative lyrics and sultry looks. This combination, on top of
guitarist Bart Ryan’s mad slide guitar skills, helped them win the 2009 South Bay Music Award
for best country artist. The band is sure to convert other rock enthusiasts who might want to
break on through to the country side.
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Maureen Davis fronts this band with a special voice, one that oozes sass and soul and allows her to sell these original songs, each of which exudes an alt-country/roots rock feel.  "Louder Louder" witha  aslide guitar that really rips, builds to an almost cowpunk intensity.  "Hummingbird Heart" has a nice country lilt, while "Damn Glad" is a divorce ballad witha wonderfully wistful bag of mixed emotions.   Deftly performed and recorded with a clarity that emphasizes lyrics, these tunes could interest film/TV peeps.
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