Barbara Manning

Homeless Is Where the Heart Is, the debut of Barbara Manning's new millennium power trio, the Go Luckys, comes off very much like the strained recollection of several hard years (and a career of commercial failures) that it is. New collaborators Fabrizio and Flavio Steinbach bring enthusiasm to this six-song EP that adds an ironic edge to Manning's pensive indie rock rather than transforming it. Things reach a bombastic peak during the fast-paced and claustrophobic numbers "Soundtracks" and "Old Woman," without detracting from the record's softer material. Altogether, Homeless Is Where the Heart Is aches with artistic martyrdom that's pungent yet never approaches the horrid "poetic" sincerity that ruins lesser female folk/indie/punk artists. Many such bombshells have wiggled their way to the top without enough talent to carry Manning's guitar case. This reality is lamented on Homeless Is Where the Heart Is, a typically strong offering from one of indie rock's overlooked champions. ~ Vincent Jeffries, All Music Guide