While only still young (17), Amanda as already released a couple of discs as well as being a regular at festivals around the US, and has steadily gained a reputation as a maturing artist rather than as a young prodigy.
This album has been a few years in the making, with Rounder Records taking the time to develop the artist and her considerable skills.
She’s a New Orleans fiddle singer/songwriter, so it’s natural there are obvious Cajun influences on display, but this is a much broader set of songs that successfully steps across the borders of country, pop and roots rock, but it still manages to sound authentic and unforced.
The title track is the obvious starting point, it’s an upbeat, melody led song with a pop feel – it’s pure ear candy, but a hugely enjoyable listen. Over the course of the 13 songs there are a couple of instrumentals where Shaw’s superb fiddle finds a home with roots rock arrangements, it’s certainly distinct and unusual, but it fits perfectly. There are a number of slower songs too, including the beautiful ‘Wishing Me Away’, which has some intimate close-mike vocals that give way to the finest fiddle solo on the disc, it’s a memorable track.
Her band, ‘The Cute Guys’ have been backing Amanda for a number of years, and the simple arrangements of her fiddle with guitars, bass and drums is a compelling mix – add in guest appearances from Dirk Powell on various track, as well as backing vocals from Sarah Borges and it gives the album a full and varied sound.
Amanda Shaw is obviously a massively talented fiddler; there are elements of her playing over the 13 tracks that are as beautiful as they are breathtaking, but rather than just being about her playing this is a balanced and rewarding album – it has an emphasis on fun and upbeat material, but what would you expect from a teenager?
‘Pretty Runs Out’ looks destined to be one of the breakthrough albums of 2008 – not to be missed.

Track listing
1 Pretty Runs Out
2 Chirmolito
3 French Jig
4 Brick Wall
5 I Don't Want to Be Your Friend
6 Garden of Eden
8 McGee's Medley
9 Wishing Me Away
10 Gone
11 Woulda Coulda Shoulda
12 Reels: The Gaspé Reel/Sam's Slammer/Imogen's Ridge
13 Easy On Your Way Out

£12.99