Lucinda Williams
Blessed
Lost Highway (2011)
Over twenty-two years and ten studio albums Lucinda Williams has made a name for herself. She has a number of career achievements, but this isn’t Wikipedia, it’s the review section. Hell, I’m going to come right out and say it: I’m not that familiar with Lucinda Williams’ discography. Don’t expect any Car Wheels on a Gravel Road comparisons here. Instead, Blessed will just have to speak for itself, without the comparisons to older material.Starting out with “Buttercup,” Williams sets a misleading positive tone. While the song is among the few upbeat numbers on the record, the majority of Blessed is filled with slow-paced, dreary laments about downtrodden characters. As a singer-songwriter, Williams writes a reliable character, using varied perspectives and life experiences to seek out universal emotions. Similarly, her detailed imagery gives a true Americana feel that exceeds mere genre labels. The writing focuses on picturesque characters: rose peddlers, dying soldiers, and kids on bicycles, exemplified perfectly in the standout title track, “Blessed.” While somber, country-tinged guitars and her distinct delivery recall images of dim barrooms and cloudy eyes, her lyrics generally focus on the eternal optimism that keeps one fighting through hard times: images such as green grass poking … Read more
Rival Schools
Pedals
Photo Finish (2011)
Have you ever been so excited to hear that a record is coming out after a long wait only to … Read more
Cobra Skulls
Bringing The War Home
Fat Wreck Chords (2011)
The Cobra Skulls are certainly not new to the punk scene. The band has made a name for themselves in … Read more
Foo Fighters
Wasting Light
RCA (2011)
Dave Grohl is a man of the people. For the last 16 years he's been one of the most endearing … Read more
