Few standard blues records by non-major artists offer any surprises. But Laurie Morvan adds a bit to the blues genre.

Her songs aren’t all that different, but the playing is unique enough to make you take notice. Solos and fills lift this effort above your standard blues fare; Morvan plays with plenty of imagination and doesn’t rely on licks or tricks heard a million times.

Blues-rock songs dominate; “Kickin’ Down Doors” has a great lyric and opens with a lick that grabs. “Where Are the Girls With Guitars” has an extremely clever lyric and playing to match the message. Morvan has a surprising and pleasing grasp of chromatic licks, even on a good ol’ shuffle like “My Baby Says,” where she throws in a unique solo. “One Little Thing” is a quiet minor-key tune that shows off her lyrical smarts and soulful playing. Lyrically, the same can be said for the piano ballad “Family Line,” while the instrumental “Wiggle Room” opens with wah and offers a relentless solo that shows the true strength of her chops.

There’s a lot of talk in guitar circles about how women just don’t seem to cut it when it comes to guitar playing. But Morvan’s work is fearless. Check it out, and you’ll see – the debate is over.