Gillian Welch

Gillian Welch dresses up her third album with hooks reminiscent of an everyday pop/rock song, but she does it in a sublime way that doesn't sacrifice the tone of her craft. Welch still sounds musically outlandish and pastoral, though the old-timey approximations are nearly gone from her songwriting. Fans will be glad to know that she still pens a perfect tear-jerker.

Gillian Welch's first two albums, Revival (1996) and Hell Among the Yearlings (1998), were
compressed musical metaphors of mountain-girl innocence and rural longing, and ranked
with the best American roots albums of the Nineties. Her third album - which follows the
triumph of her contributions to the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack - has more
gorgeous reinventions of Appalachian sounds, old Anglo influences and hauntin... More >

Forget Elvis--the Steve Miller mention is the real giveaway, and breath of fresh air ("My First Lover," "Ruination Day Part 2"); (Grade - *)