Denice Franke: Gulf Coast Blue

Something about Texas soil makes it fertile ground for earnest country-folk players bent over their acoustic guitars, pouring forth stories of people and towns toeing the line between elation and desperation. Former Houstonian and current Galveston Island resident Denice Franke's latest effort, Gulf Coast Blue, is a similar document showcasing Franke's main strength, a deep, smoky voice that brings to mind Mary Chapin Carpenter at times. Accented only by her acoustic guitar and the occasional, tasteful electric flourish, standouts here include the cool vibe of "Gibraltar" and wistful, dreamy "Elegance." "Cool Water" could stand as a lost Lucinda Williams track, while in the slinky "Sergio's Watching," a ­public-utility employee inadvertently views his neighbors engaging in tentative girl-on-girl action and shooting heroin. (Remember kids — close those blinds!) However, other songs ("Weather Is Fine," "Moments") are drawn down by both their sluggish tempo and overly serious tone; Franke's material could generally benefit from a bit more humor. Some of her characters also seem straight out of central casting: the biker who loves her man and the road in "Harley Girl," and the Jensen Drive bar girl who parties to chase away grief in "Tara Lee." Overall, then, Gulf Coast Blue is a pleasing, if sometimes languid, collection.