Former Purson mastermind/multi-instrumentalist Rosalie Cunningham has returned in 2022 to gift the world with her 2nd solo album, Two Piece Puzzle. Two Piece Puzzle has Rosalie Cunningham stepping up her game more than I anticipated. I anticipated some growth from her debut, but I wasn’t prepared for the depth and development that Two Piece Puzzle showcases. “Start With the Corners” kicks things off and talk about unpredictable. The song sets itself up to be this kind of psychedelic “slow burn” Doors-esque song but then takes a sharp right into a solid, infectious groove-oriented jam.
“Donovan Ellington” lyrically reminded me of the kind of character creation that was a signature move The Beatles used quite a bit but Cunningham managed to do so with her touch. Instead of completely copying something that The Beatles had perfected, she took the concept and turned it into, well, Rosalie Cunningham.
“Duet” is a very vaudeville kind of ditty that I could imagine hearing at a turn of the century after-hours carnival revival. Featuring the vocals of her partner Rosco Wilson, “Duet” is such a treat to listen to, and it also shows what a great team player Rosalie can be sharing vocal duties. It even makes me want to hear her maybe do a duet album at some point as she pulls this off perfectly.
Closing out the album is ‘The Liner Notes”, a lush, beautiful composition that possesses elements of The Allman Brothers Band, Genesis, and, again, Jethro Tull draws the curtain on this performance, which leaves me wanting more.
Rosalie Cunningham truly exceeded my expectations by releasing a collection of well-crafted, perfectly executed, and most importantly, unpredictable songs. In the past, Rosalie Cunningham was not ashamed to wear her heavy Beatles influence on her sleeve, but with Two Piece Puzzle, it’s a real treat to hear the depth of her other influences such as classic progressive rock ala-Jethro Tull and Renaissance while even treading respectively upon the grounds of Black Sabbath, Genesis, and the Doors.
With Two Piece Puzzle, Rosalie Cunningham has forged her own identity. While the influences are there and obvious, I did not listen to this album and find myself comparing the material note for note to anyone. Nevertheless, Rosalie Cunningham has come into her own as an artist, and she has claimed her place as the reigning queen in the world of progressive, psychedelic rock.
Two Piece Puzzle is, without a doubt, a performance. As I listened to this album, I didn’t feel like I was merely listening to music. Two Piece Puzzle is so much more than just a record. It is a dramatic, exciting piece of art that could be the soundtrack for a fantastic stage performance filled with dancers, actors, and set changes. I know it is extraordinary when an album can paint such vivid imagery. Two Piece Puzzle isn’t something to just be heard. It’s something to be experienced, so put it on, close your eyes, and let your imagination run wild with Two Piece Puzzle as the soundtrack.
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