HARP MAGAZINE

March 2004

"WIthin The Coming Grass, Sara Cox lets hubby Nate Schrock's songs take center stage, but her contributions to the band's two records beg the question, "Why aren't there more?" Well, she ponied up six on her debut EP, 'Firewater', and another dozen for this platter, which answers the question. Cox's vocal range (from breathy to sassy to haunting to soaring) and songwriting are a fit with The Coming Grass' roots-Replacements thing, but very much unto themselves. Cox isn't content to confine herself to any particular style, dipping a toe into torchy piano balladry ('Paper Cup'), reggae ('Stir the Waters'), country ('Beat Down Grass') and just plain rock ('The Milk Song');she dodges disjointedness simply by the grace of her distinct sound and uncomplicated, yet versatile character. Ironically, her talents are laid truly bare on a cover- an a capella go at Richard Buckner's 'Fater'. Here, she stuns and irrevocably distinguishes herself from her peers."