Singer/songwriter Diana Steele (http://www.penstarmusic.com) has a voice that seems to emanate from another era. In the country genre, she has a style that owes more to the classic icons of the field than the more pop-oriented singers that Nashville seems to scouting for these days. Although there is strength in her words, her vocals carry wounds of relationships broken. There are times, such as on the softly spoken romantic lines of "I Do," where she sounds so fragile.
Music, despite whatever pretentious critics claim, is all about the expression of emotion, joy or sorrow, love or anger. At least, the best music conveys either of those feelings, and it has to be real. Well, there's nothing bogus about Steele. When she chastises a husband for his lying and cheating on "So, So Long," you can sense her bitterness. It's there, her rage bubbling under. Those who've gone through something similar will experience an invigorating sense of catharsis.
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Yes, it's obvious that Steele has been through bad times. The self-explanatory "I'm Over Being Under You" (fantastic title!) is a scathing kiss-off that further establishes her Valentine's Day blues. Nevertheless, she's able to balance the happiness in her life, too. "I Do" is as sweet a wedding song gets without becoming corny.
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