Rebecca Folsom

Rebecca Folsom has been kicking around the local scene for a decade-plus, and her experience shows throughout Water on Stone. The disc, which she'll introduce on Friday, May 9, at Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret, with Rob Drabkin opening, is thoroughly professional and consistently pleasant. It could have been more, though, given diminished studio polish and a boost in the performances' aggressiveness.

"No Reason" is a case in point. While the number boasts a strong, bluesy melody and nice backing vocals by Celeste Krenz, the guitars could definitely use more teeth. The same is true of the catchy title cut, whose well-conceived arrangement begs for a vigorous instrumental attack it doesn't quite get, and "Too Hot Blues," which is too cool by half.

A harder Stone would have been even better.