Album of the Week

I like a lot of country music, but only in small doses. Sometimes the "twang" makes my skin crawl and ears bleed. But I appreciate most of the classics, having been exposed to some of the greats - like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings - by my old man pretty early on. One of their female counterparts recently put out a new disc, and as un-country as it is, it's the country music I can definitely dig.

Loretta Lynn's new album, Van Lear Rose, is like a country cake with rock n' roll icing. Best known for her blue-collar anthem of the early 1970s, "Coal Miner's Daughter", Lynn was one of the more popular mainstream stars of her day. This time around, she's got today's mainstream rock n' roll darling, Jack White, on board. He produced and played on this disc, and his rock influences are so obvious yet fitting: raw guitars and an audibly trademark low production. Something the purists no doubt hate, but something a casual listener like myself can enjoy.

However, although White's work on this album is apparent, it doesn't inundate Lynn's genuine Nashville delivery. Lyrically, I can't relate to any of it. But as a genuine mish-mash of old and new musical stylings, I can definitely appreciate it.

If you're on the download, check out the tracks "Van Lear Rose", "Portland Oregon", and "Have Mercy".