k.d. lang

Boy, k.d. lang sure knows how to show adult alternative who's boss, doesn't she? On her 10th studio album, the indomitable ms. lang revisits each of the styles she's conquered: jazz (the easy, breezy "Sunday"), vaguely vintage pop ("Je Fais la Planche," which is so freaking crammed with whimsy you'll want to pinch its cheeks) and country (sort of; nothing's as twangy, or torchy, as her early material, but the front-porch folk-blues of "Jealous Dog" seems like an homage). As always, her interpretations are graceful and exquisitely subtle. This is what adult alternative should be.

In 2004, k.d. lang started paying close attention to one damn attractive asset: her own
voice. She exiled the cute concepts and oversinging to make Hymns of the 49th Parallel a
great collection of often famous songs by Canadian pop songwriters. That was lang's
creative breakthrough, but now she has written her first collection in eight years, titling it
Watershed. After the explosive growth of 49th Parallel, could lang possibly re-e... More >