As we all know, the accountants and consultants have bleached out pop and rock radio so that it's barely retained any of its former color. Sadly, country music radio did not escape that fate. Much of what passes for 'country' these days consists of a bland mixture of pop, rock (and maybe a little blues) with a few country decorations tossed in for window dressing (not unlike the ever-present belt buckles and ten-gallon hats).
So when a recording like Van Lear Rose comes along, it seems to carry extra weight. This is one bold move. Loretta Lynn enlisted Jack White (White Stripes) as producer and together they have come up with an album that manages to sound both 30 years old and brand spankin' new. This is the real deal. Jack's guitar (along with a snazzy, loose-yet-tight band, dubbed "The Do Whaters"), a little more raw than today's standard fare, seems to perfectly accentuate Loretta's coal miner twang. Loretta also helped out by writing a killer pile of songs, not a clunker in the bunch. You say you don't like country? Give the tune "Portland Oregon" a listen. It's a stunning duet with White (sounding a little bit like Steve Forbert) that combines old country bits with modern psychobilly guitar.
For fans of the genre there's plenty to love including the ballad "God Makes No Mistakes", the very tradition-sounding "This Old House" and the gently-swinging closer "Story of my Life".
Loretta Lynn's trail of influence is surely a long one, and one new rising star who knows all about it is Gretchen Wilson. The Pocahontas, IL, trailer-park gal is the author of "Redneck Girl", which recently went to number one on the country charts. A cynical person might take one look at Wilson, read the story of professed love of WalMart, Lynryd Skynyrd & beer and pronounce the whole deal as more faux-country.
That would be a mistake.
If you give Here For The Party an open-hearted listen you'll hear all of her influences (Lynn, Patsy Cline, Tanya Tucker) wrapped around some seriously fun songs. Think "Redneck Woman" is just a novelty? Listen on for the traditionally-styled ballad "When I Think About Cheatin'". I tell ya, this girl can sing! She's got a sense of humor too: check out "Homewrecker", where she warns a potential adversary in romance of the butt-kicking in the offing. Extra points there for building the verses on a slowed-down "Sweet Home Alabama" riff.
...and then there's "Chariot", a tune that rocks along while describing "...A Chariot...Ya, A Big Bold Eagle On The Hood Trans Am Chariot". Heh...but that ain't the end of it. Right in the middle of the song is a rap section. That's right. A snappy rhyme with scratchin' turntables & everything: about Ezekiel's Chariot Vision! And of course the chariot is a gold Cadillac. Dang, it's clever, fun and just a plain joy to listen to.
Can Loretta Lynn and Gretchen Wilson put some real "hell, yea!" back into the country music scene? I think they already have.
(First posted on Mark Is Cranky)
Article comments
1 - Claire
Mark, had I known you had done such a good job, I would have remained silent. I agree with you on Loretta, and Gretchen.
Loretta has always put the "hell yeah" into country, a refreshing and unadulteraed voice which wasn't quashed by the p.c. She has been a beacon for years, and Van Lear Rose is not exception.
Gretchen Wilson might be her successor, ya think?
Good, well written, comprehensive review, which I loved.
Claire
2 - Mark Saleski
thanks!
3 - Lono
Mark, sorry I didn't catch this post earlier. I have Van Leer Rose and it is amazing. I have to admit, I am not a country fan... and sought it out because of the Jack White connection. It is a beautiful piece of music, and a tribute to what a legend she is. To me, this disc far transcends the label of country... like Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash's 'VH1 Storytellers'. If anyone is reading this post, I'll put my word on it that you need to go out and buy it immediately. This from a guy who mostly collected Metallica.
Thanks,
lono
4 - joe
Rarely do find a cd that i like upon hearing it only once. A cd usualy has to become familiar before i can really get into it. I knew Loretta's Van Lear Rose was something special from the first time i heard the opening guitar on the first track. Finally some country music with grit, depth, and feeling. This cd makes country radio sound false. This is the real deal.