Records released today are coming from country royalty in mourning mode, an indie rock goddess in a pensive state, and a rocker pledging his allegiance to his side project.
Roseanne Cash, “Black Cadillac” (Capitol) This elegy is one of the more powerful statements to come from Roseanne Cash, daughter to Johnny. The talented singer-songwriter lost her father, mother Vivian Liberto Cash Distin and stepmother June Carter Cash within two years of each other, and this is her healing, her anger. The accomplished alt-country record takes her through all the stages of losing a loved one – only it’s amplified, because her loss was much greater than just one person.
Cat Power, “The Greatest” (Matador) Chan Marshal (a.k.a. Cat Power) headed to Memphis to record an album of Southern longing with old-timer studio musicians, including guitarist Teenie Hodges, bassist Leroy Hodges and drummer Steve Potts. The result is “The Greatest.” It’s more of a concept album – telling the story of a boy who dreams of being a great boxer – than a typical Cat Power album. (Regardless of the title, it’s not a greatest- hits record.) But throughout it is lush and symphonic and melancholic, a beautiful, thoughtful record that is as much a gift to the fans as it is an honest outpouring of an artist in her prime.
The Elected, “Sun Sun Sun” (Sub Pop) When people think about Rilo Kiley, they think about Jenny Lewis, who is releasing her solo debut today. (See story on page 7F.) But Blake Sennett is also a big contributor to the L.A. indie rock- countrypolitan outfit, and The Elected is his “solo project,” which is more countrified than his work in Rilo Kiley.
– Ricardo Baca
