One Way Home is singer/songwriter Stacy Rock’s debut album. The classically trained pianist is quite the storyteller, utilizing elements of folk, country, vaudeville, and rock in the vein of Tom Waits or early eighties Bob Dylan to create a memorable backdrop for each song.

Most of us tend to think of Tori Amos when we hear “female singer/songwriter with a piano” but that couldn’t be more wrong in this case. If Tori Amos is an influence then I have completely missed it. While not necessarily sounding like them, Rock’s sound is more akin to the work of artists like Carole King or Carly Simon. Rock’s sound is not unique in a historical sense but is a refreshing change from today’s’ popular singer/songwriters.

The focus here is entirely on each story. The beautiful and inspiring “Anne” is a great example. Although a little too country tinged, the song is a sad yet encouraging letter of sorts. Rock delivers the song almost tearfully putting a lump in your throat, forcing you to rub your eyes and curse your allergies in order to save face. The lounge styling of “Marigolds” is another striking moment. Taking a break from the singer/songwriter fare for a moment, Rock bridges the gap between legends like Etta James and modern day legends in the making like Jen Chapin. Clear, succinct, and sexy, Rock delivers flawlessly on this song in particular. “Don’t Change” is another nice moment, focusing entirely on the lonely sound of a girl and her piano.

I really enjoyed this album. Stacy Rock is a talented songwriter for sure and has a beautiful, but interesting voice. Her ideas here are great, although they aren’t always pulled off as gracefully as you are hoping for. Some time is definitely what the doctor has ordered here and I have a feeling that when Stacy Rock comes into her own we will all feel it. Regardless, there is a lot to love about this album and I look forward to hearing more.