Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Sam (thanks to husband producer T Bone Burnett) has wisely returned to the same jang-ling, raw-nerved, acoustic soundscape that contributed to the classic status turning of 'The Turning' (she was Leslie then of course) while her voice has never sounded more eery. Lyrically however she seems to be happy to communicate insight when she finds it (The beat generation all goes on the morning train/And another dream goes by") but is clearly better at pricking the bubbles of modern man's intellectual support systems then articulating any hopeful alternative. Presumably, her tussle with claustrophobic evangelism (about which she still snipes at in interviews) means she cannot bring herself to point directly to the healer of hearts but when her lyrics as they do on some tracks here descend to total-consciousness doggerel lacking any power to communicate anything other than confusion one is left a little sad. The deluded radical chic within the church will no doubt proclaim this as her greatest album. But it's not. Just fine music from a dear sister who's still to find again her lyrical way.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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