Since the mid 1980s, the Atlanta-based fold duo Indigo Girls,comprised of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, have been releasing theirown brand of politically-charged folk music that bears rock andcountry influences.
For their latest release, "All That We Let In," the duo goeswith longtime producer Peter Collins (who produced their previousalbums "Become You" and 1994s "Swamp Ophelia") to create a fine mixof folk, rock and country ballads.
Joan Osborne guest-sings on a few of the tracks, and the duouses their longtime backing band who have done work with EmmylouHarris and Dave Matthews.
"All That We Let In" starts out strong with the driving "Fill ItUp Again."
The hook-laced number immediately catches the listener with aperfect acoustic guitar lick, all the while bringing out what isgood about Indigo Girls, strong melodies to match their StevieNicks and Melissa Etheridge-style vocals.
With such a strong start, Indigo Girls set a tough standard tofollow throughout the remainder of the release and manage tosucceed in many places.
The first single, "Perfect World," starts out slow but reallycomes to life with a well-placed banjo roll in the chorus. Thediverse instrumentation contrasts nicely with thoughtful lyrics, asIndigo Girls talk about being accountable and paying attention towhat goes on in the world, not just having fun in one's personallife.
Though they keep the insightful lyrics and instrumentationgoing, Indigo Girls lose the drive on much of the rest of "All ThatWe Let In."
Songs such as "Come on Home" and the title track rely onacoustic finger picking. Both songs take on predictable directions,leaving them dull and reminiscent of forgettable female countryballads.
The Girls keep the groove going though, ending the album withstrong tracks like "Dairy Queen" and "Rise Up."
Very different from the rest of the album, "Dairy Queen"provides an excellent mix of folk instruments and electric guitarsand keeps a very steady and catchy bass groove. It is the standouttrack and my favorite.
"Rise Up," a straightforward pop number, closes the album withElton-esque piano rhythms and great acoustic guitar solos. As TheGirls sing "rise up your dead, there's life in the old girl yet,"one gets the feeling that these musical veterans have been throughmuch but still have drive and perseverance within.
At 11 tracks, the Indigo Girls don't cover a lot of new ground,sticking to their own formula of folk music. With Saliers penningsix of the songs and Ray five, it is becoming harder to tell thedifference between the two songwriters' styles -- Ray's songs aregenerally more energetic and Saliers are more laid-back. Old fansof the group will like this release, but newcomers are encouragedto check out The Girls' older works.
