Een van de weinige opvallendheden aan de nieuwe plaat van Kim Richey is de titel: Wreck Your Wheels. Richey maakt popcountry voor bij de thee. Niemand zal zich verslikken. Deze singer-songwriter uit Ohio lijkt dan ook de laatste die andermans auto zou mollen of ook maar iemand enigszins voor de voeten zou rijden.

Wreck Your Wheels was recorded in Nashville last year and features co-writing credits with The Jayhawk's Mark Olson, English blues/pop singer and '09 Brit Award nominee Beth Rowley and the always dependable U.K. writer (and Eddi Reader collaborator) Boo Hewerdine.

The vibe throughout Wheels is warm and inviting, the relaxed Americana atmosphere richly textured even when the folk-pop instrumental backing is spare. Richey's plaintive, emotionally composed singing has never sounded more appealing on songs such as the lovely, downbeat Hewerdine co-write "Keys", the bittersweet gem "99 Floors," or the haunting ballad "Back To You". Languid but never lax, Wreck Your Wheels is a revelation of small gestures, low heat and the power of restraint. Highly recommended.