
Tia McGraff’s With Love doesn’t have a single miss over the course of its seven songs and should satisfy even the most stringent music fans. It is the latest resounding success for a time-tested veteran who still approaches her songwriting with the same freshness as a newcomer. The sophistication, however, and feeling are deep and often quite moving. Nearly two decades into her artistic run, Tia McGraff hasn’t reached her peak yet and, when she does, it’s going to be a doozy.
With Love packs every bit as much into its seven songs as any full-length release. Largely arbitrary distinctions begin rubbing me the wrong way with releases such as this because it’s an EP in name only, as far as I am concerned, as the songwriting, especially lyrically, carries the breadth and impact of supposedly “longer” full-length albums. Tia McGraff should be proud of this one, just like any other. She’s worked hard to craft a winner for us but there’s no sign of strain in the final result. With Love sounds as if it poured out of her, full bloom, and we’re better having heard its charms. Mark Druery Indie Shark Magazine