There’s more to Carol Bui than meets the eye (or the ear). Which is saying something considering that her latest release, Everyone Wore White, is a complex tapestry that not only showcases her capabilities as a guitarist but fleshes out several corners of her history and personality. Bui draws from influences as disparate as Fugazi and traditional Vietnamese tunes (one of which she sings a capella to close out the album) and sings about life’s rough patches with a tone that’s disarmingly bold and direct. Her toughness and sensitivity shine through, but she’s also witty and approachable. That’s part of the beauty of her music: she’s honest and forthright, yet leaves so much in her nuances for the listener to discover. There’s a reason she’s on the list of DCist’s favorite local acts of 2007.

Over the months since her album’s release, her buzz, already strong in the metro area has multiplied as everyone from My Old Kentucky Blog to All Music Guide has given her stellar reviews. Even the Pitchfork writer who famously blasted the work of another local artist gave Everyone Wore White a hefty 7.8. With a fiery live show to boot (and one already planned opening for Merge duo The Rosebuds), Carol Bui certainly has the capability to break out nationally in 2008.