Look Out (Magoo, 1997)

This band isn't exactly following the latest path to instant stardom and radio playability. The St. Louis sextet combines nearly as many folk and blues elements as country sounds to forge its own unique sound. While not exactly marketable, it is distinctive and not a lot of country groups can currently boast that as a property.

"Look Out" has its largest appeal in the vocals of Cheryl Stryker. She seems to instinctively understand that constantly calling upon powerful vocals will lessen the impact of each delivery. Stryker often understates a theme to just as devastating an impact. The rest of the band is solid and well-attuned to the material. There isn't a lot being done instrumentally here that hasn't been done before and just as well. Guitarist John Wendland wrote most of the 13 songs, some by himself and some with other band members. Most of observational pieces that makes us look at our everyday lives or take us to places we've never been.

One Fell Swoop has more going for it than a lot of country-influenced bands but without a gimmick, widespread recognition might not be in its immediate future either. (Magoo, 7536 Forsyth, #166, St. Louis, MO 63105)