REINVENTION in music is held up as the ideal, but it is not necessarily immediately effective.
Watkins is just 34 but has already lived a long musical life. Best known for her part of Nickel Creek, Young In All The Wrong Ways is her third solo record and blurs the lines between rock, confessional singer songwriter and country songstress. The end result sometimes strays into territory that is already heavily built up, with little or no space to make an impression.
The title track emphatically underlines that this is not going to be a roll in the bluegrass, with guitars (from former Elliott Smith collaborator Jon Brion) to the fore.
This is a breakup record, and Watkins is not going to take disappointment lying down. Move Me, is the most memorable of the heavier numbers, but outstays its welcome. Safer but lovelier are the acoustic numbers including the Dolly Parton like The Truth Won’t Set Us Free which will leave old fans wanting more.
A transition record in every sense, but fascinating to see where this leads.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here