Lucinda Williams is one of those artists I do not listen to on a regular basis and then every time I do, I wonder why I don't. She's quite simply one of the worlds greatest living songwriters. Her southern drawl may not be for everyone but it's very effective in communicating emotion through song.
Blessed finds Lucinda expanding on her normal Americana sound with heavier guitars and a looser feel than normal. After the opening kiss-off to a former lover, "Buttercup," the album opens up quite a bit with the ballad "I Don't Know Where You Are" and the mid tempo "Copenhagen" and Both songs make great use of Don Was' atmospheric production. The bluesy shuffle of "Born To Be Loved" and the closing waltz of "Kiss Like Your Kiss" are both different from anything she's done before while still maintaining her distinct style. "Seeing Black" and "Convince Me" are a couple of the most straight-forward rock songs on any of Lucinda's albums.
Lucinda's lyrics are always deeply personal and moving and Blessed is no exception. Lucinda is a master of using repetion in her lyrics to be affective but not overbearingly so. It's a fine line to walk and she does it as well as anyone. Her familiar themes of lost love are present throughout but they are countered by "Blessed" and "Sweet Love" which seem to find her settling into a happy place in her love life (probably due to her recent marriage). "Soldier's Song is a touching first person story of a father lost to war. The album is full of moving stories that complement the music very nicely.
Blessed is another very strong album from Lucinda Williams. There are enough new textures to differ it from her past catalog and old and new fans alike should find plenty to enjoy here. I really need to spend more time with this record in the future as opposed to loving and then forgetting about it.
Rating: 4.5
Track Listing:
1. "Buttercup" (3:51)
2. "I Don't Know How You're Living" (5:00)
3. "Copenhagen" (4:31)
4. "Born to be Loved" (4:38)
5. "Seeing Black" (5:14)
6. "Soldier's Song" (6:09)
7. "Blessed" (5:49)
8. "Sweet Love" (3:33)
9. "Ugly Truth" (4:22)
10. "Convince Me" (5:46)
11. "Awakening" (6:25)
12. "Kiss Like Your Kiss" (3:51)
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