Washington, DC-based Eddie From Ohio have been favorites of the modern folk scene of the Eastern seaboard and nationally since forming back in 1991.  In that time, they have self-released nine CDs (seven studio and two live) on their own Virginia Soul label.  The group is made up of singer Julie Murphy Wells, guitarist/vocalist Robbie Schaefer, drummer/vocalist Eddie Hartness and bassist/vocalist Michael Clem.

This Is Me was produced by Lloyd Maines (songwriting and producing father of Dixie Chick Natalie Maines), and thus has a slightly higher country quotient than some earlier releases.  However, the band is still wonderfully unpredictable musically.  Their diverse inspirations are all in full flower here – This Is Me has gospel spirituals ("Walk Humbly, Son"), traditional folk (the brilliantly authentic "No Pain, No Problem"), pop-rock (the terrifically catchy "The Bird"), bluegrass ("Horse"), nostalgic pop with vague nods at funk ("Fly") and quiet ballads ("This is Me" and "Baltimore").  Even the band's name shows how widespread their musical scope is – it is a reference to eD fROMOHIO, a member of long-defunct punk band fireHOSE.  

"The Bird" rocks out triumphantly on the chorus after a loping tune.  "And the Rain Crashed Down" is a gorgeous pop-country lament.  The marvelously atmospheric "Adiós, Lorena" is a wonderful smashup of Mexican beats, jazzy brass, nearly-rap spoken word verses and a heart-stopping chorus.  I love the gothic folk of "Independence, Indiana."  Wells also does a quite impressive white-blues-mama holler on "Alone."