On Koala Motel, Australian alt.country chanteuse Anne McCue channels country music’s darkest demons, tosses in some Townes Van Zandt-ish lyrics and a rock edge to produce what is a batch of truly wonderful songs. On "From Bakersfield to Saigon," she sings of a love gone wrong: "the sun came up and made the night a lie." From there, she moves into "Bright Light of Day" – which sounds like something Beth Orton would like to write: "Will I love you? Will I dare? When I see you again will I even care?" This is a simply smashing record. Here’s a mandolin solo, there’s a ripping electric guitar; the next thing you know, McCue is singing close harmony with herself, as one would do when "walking home from a long night in the bright light of day." Koala Motel begins by invoking other artists and possible comparisons. But, by mid-CD, she’s shaken off all likenesses of her influences. With "Sweet Burden of Youth," "Any Minute Now," and, possibly most notably "Jesus’ Blood," McCue has found her way into the center of the room, under a fierce spotlight. On the latter track, she sings daringly, "I may be lost but I always finish my story / I may be drunk but I always finish my song." This couple of lines actually sums Koala Motel up quite nicely. Where melodies and instrumentals seem wandering and confused at times, they always return to the story, the song always finishes, and it finishes well, leaving a striking impression. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commo