Written by Wow! It’s been awhile since I reviewed any new music! Now, admittedly, my tastes don’t run to rap, dance music and electronica so I’m a bit more limited in what I’m willing and able to objectively review when new “stuff” is released but it just seems like there’s been a drought of really good stuff lately.
Amy Ray and Emily Saliers to the rescue! The folk rock duo, in the form of the Indigo Girls released a brand new, 13 song album in October (which I finally got a chance to get), Beauty Queen Sister
Now, for those of you out there that may not be familiar with the Indigo Girls (too young or too old), let me briefly fill you in. Amy Ray and Emily Saliers are lesbian folk rock musicians and songwriters that have been playing music together since the 1980s when they were both in high school in the Decatur, Georgia area. They have never been a couple. They are though very celebrated lesbians, activists, and iconic champions of the LGBT movement in many areas.
Back to the music! This album is both the same and different from their previous albums. You get a mix of tracks from both writers with their distinctive styles but this album has an overall feel that is more melodic and slightly less rock. Yes, they still jam (with some instrumentation help from some Nashville luminaries) but there’s less of the smokey, gravelly voice sound in this one. What is there, as always, is plenty of storytelling, plenty of pleas for help in the face of modern day ills and plenty of heart.
If you’re already a fan, you’ll love this album. If you’ve never heard any of their stuff before, I encourage you to read about the duo and listen to some of their older stuff before you’re quick to judge this album as not for you. I think that once you know some of their background and history that you’ll find a place in your heart for their music too and you’ll see that this is another stand-out album.
