First of all, I must correct a fact that CDbaby has gotten wrong in their listing of this album: it is not a CD-R, but a real silver CD, a pressed CD. It comes in a digipak with a plastic tray made out of recycled material and has a 12 page booklet. No Syd Straw review can get around namedropping the Golden Palominos, the group with which Syd first came to prominence, but I'm going to spare you the details here. "Pink Velour" is Syd Straw's third album, and probably her most personal yet, which becomes obvious already in the opener, the title track. Musically, the album is located in that blend of folk, pop, Americana and unexpected elements that widen the scope of these styles, which is Syd's trademark sound. That is not a surprise, since she produced it herself. With the exception of a Neil Young cover and a Brian Eno cover, all the songs are her own writing. The musicians that play on the album include Willie Aron, D.J. Bonebrake, and Marc Ribot, amongst others, with notable guest spots by Robert Lloyd on mandolin on "Marry Me", Doug Wieselman on bass clarinet giving "Floaty Wafter" and the covers a wonderful ambience, and Dave Alvin on electric guitar on what would be my first single of choice: "The Stranger I Live With". Even though some songs on this album are up to 8 minutes long, you don't notice it until you look at your watch, because the album is quite an intense listen. It has a calming quality to it, too, with the wit in the lyrics making you light up amidst the relaxing mood that the music has got, even though at times, it features some heavy electic guitars. I've found it's best played as a whole, but if I'd have to pick some songs, I would enlist all the above mentioned, plus "My Ship Comes In", "Storm Warning", "Actress", which I consider quite catchy, and the epos that's "Unraveling". If you're not familiar with Syd's voice yet, the album might take a while to get into, but feel free to try it out anyway, because this album is a grower.

Syd's album are few and far apart, but again the voice of an angel

Syd is a lovely talent--mature of thought, alternately elegiac and urgent of tone, and always leading with that marvelous, yearning voice. I love her work, and I love this record. After just one play it felt like a friend.

Strong, rich, and beautiful.