Echo in the Dust by Julianna Riolino Album Review

By Erik Kucher, Arts Writer

Relationships, such as they are, tend to live in a bubble of contradictory emotions. A place where reflection, the moment and possibilities crash together, cascading into something unexpectedly visible. Tender to the touch, it can both soothe and destroy.

Echo in the Dust, (at least through my own lens) is an exploration of self, within that bubble. Filled with tiny points of realization. “Smile” looks back quietly on a past relationship, noting both the feeling of “caring unconditionally” and (with a brief harshness) the idea that “when you look at love – you’re only looking at you.” The song finishes with quiet contemplation, trying to turn “the pieces of our demise” into something that becomes a positive memory.

This is Riolino’s second album. It plays out with similar themes, offering comfort, anger, pain and even epiphanies all within the span of a stanza.

Musically speaking, I’ve seen reviews mention Alt-Country/Americana, but honestly, I tend to get a different vibe. Laurel Canyon and the So-Cal 70’s singer/songwriters come to mind. Like Jackson Browne, Judee Sill, and even Buckingham/Nicks-era Fleetwood Mac, she has that ability to find revelation in the sound of the dusk. Ultimately, Riolino has created a record that is difficult to follow up with anything but replaying. Echo in the Dust is a work that I can’t help but leave on the turntable and flip over repeatedly.

Echo in the Dust by Canadian Singer Songwriter Julianna Riolino is produced by MoonWhistle Records. Julianna Riolino is playing Lee’s Palace on December 6th.

Erik Kucher, is a local writer specializing in Arts & Entertainment.