Suzanne Vega – Beauty And Crime

Genre rock Publisher Blue Note Records External Links Official Suzanne Vega Website Official Blue Note Website

For many, singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega is the woman who wrote the anti-child abuse anthem "Luka" and the voice behind the many dance remixes of her a cappella song "Tom's Diner." Those tracks were released a while ago, however, back when Tracy Chapman and Sinead O'Connor were the major players in the music industry.

The times have certainly changed since then but Vega, thankfully, has not. The talented New York singer has just released her first new album in six years and many critics have already anointed it her best ever. Why? The 11-song Beauty & Crime features some of Vega's best lyrics ever and it is one of her most musically diverse offerings in her career.

Some might think Vega's renewed energy might come from her musical collaborators on Beauty & Crime as there are contributions from Sonic Youth guitarist Lee Ranaldo, Patty Smith Group bassist Tony Shanahan, and pop-rock singer KT Tunstall. Think again. Vega is the star here as she has chosen to reflect on life in New York City, past and present, in both happy and sad terms, and the decision brings out the best in the songwriter.

The CD opens with the nostalgic "Zephyr & I" which recalls New York in the 70s and Tunstall's backing vocals make it one of the sunnier-sounding numbers. The second number, "Ludlow Street," is an moody track that is a moving tribute to Vega's brother, Tim, who died a few years ago after battling alcoholism.

Things get even more interesting later on as Vega writes songs on such varied subjects as the love affair between Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner ("Frank & Ava") and the toll working at ground zero after the 9/11 attacks takes on someone ("Angel's Doorway").

Making the lyrical content more compelling is the music behind the songs as Vega and producer Jimmy Hogarth employ an interesting blend of acoustic and electric guitars along with strings and even brass and programmable beats on a few tracks. In the end, the tackling of many different genres like bossa nova, electronica, folk, pop, and rock is as diverse as New York City itself which is probably exactly what Vega was aiming for.

The main criticism of Beauty & Crime is it takes a while for the songs to make a lasting impression, particularly since Vega's quiet singing style is not particularly memorable and the CD is only 34 minutes long. Still, all of the best music rewards one after continuous listens and Beauty & Crime falls into that category.