Reviews of "Despite Our Differences"

[GhostLand]

I ran across this review of the new album today and thought it might be good to have a thread where people can post whatever reviews they find.

This review (http://www.musicbox-online.com/reviews-2006/indigogirls-despiteourdifferences.html) is from The Music Box:After it reached the big time in 1989 by scoring a hit single with Closer to Fine, the Indigo Girls (http://www.musicbox-online.com/indigo.html) admirably spent the next decade doing everything it could to make sure that each of its endeavors was markedly different from its predecessor. However, by the time the duo released its seventh outing Come On Now Social (http://www.musicbox-online.com/ig-soc.html), the strain of its ambitions had begun to weigh heavily upon its work, and the challenge of trying push its music in new directions while also retaining the organic effortlessness of its past affairs proved to be almost too much to bear. Although it further highlighted the problems the group was experiencing, the Indigo Girls’ career-spanning Retrospective provided an opportunity for reflection, which, in turn, allowed it to take a back-to-basics approach on its subsequent albums Become You and All that We Let In.

The Indigo Girls’ latest effort Despite Our Differences continues to follow a similar trajectory, though note-for-note, it also is the most infectious, pop-infused set that the duo ever has managed to concoct. In fact, its melodies, harmonies, and arrangements are so ingratiating that — from the bracing, Who-inspired power chords of Rock and Roll Heaven’s Gate (which includes a guest appearance by Pink) to the shimmering, XTC (http://www.musicbox-online.com/xtc.html)-meets-Bob Dylan (http://www.musicbox-online.com/dylan.html) charm of Pendulum Swinger to the soaring and soulful strains of the Billy Joel (http://www.musicbox-online.com/joel.html)-inspired Lay My Head Down — the album carries the weight of an instant classic.

Featuring energetic rock songs that are interspersed with gentler, folk-oriented fare, Despite Our Differences is delightfully well paced, and it plays directly to the Indigo Girls’ strengths without being delivered in such an agreeable fashion that it begins to feel lightweight. With a backing band that includes drummer Matt Chamberlain, bass player Clare Kenny, pedal steel guitarist Greg Leisz, and keyboard player Carol Isaacs, the Indigo Girls, along with producer Mitchell Froom, keeps the up-tempo tracks tight and punchy, while also giving the softer selections ample room to breathe. Intertwining songs about weathering storms of both a political and a personal nature, the Indigo Girls turns the perseverance of its career into an endearing and affecting song cycle that professes a belief in the power of love to provide strength and comfort in times of distress. http://www.musicbox-online.com/bullet4.gifhttp://www.musicbox-online.com/bullet4.gifhttp://www.musicbox-online.com/bullet4.gifhttp://www.musicbox-online.com/bullet4.gif
There are a whole lot of things in there I could comment on -- but "Billy Joel-inspired"?!? WTF?????

[vball15]

wow, they sure call IG "it" a lot...maybe they should try "they" and "their" instead of some of those!!

TEE HEE HEE

[greenpeace]

I like (read: find problematic) how CONS is often referred to as one of IG's weaker albums, as if it was too self-indulgent--especially when I find Amy (especially) and Emily pointing to it as a successful (at least in an artistic sense) album.

I tend to agree more with A+E re: CONS, but I also agree DOD is good, if anything for its production value (a relief after two Collins-produced albums).

xo,
T

[Toots2]

Heard a copy of the new cd.

Amy's songs are great. I agree with an earlier posting and will say that I like the live version of Three County Highway .

Emily's songs- I hope that she is happy in her relationship. Last Tears, All the Way (loved it), & Run indicates some unhappiness and uncertainty. DebigoGrl-I agree with what you said earlier.

Emily-you could "Lay Your Head Down" on me any time you want! You deserve happiness and love.
__________________

[GhostLand]

Emily's songs- I hope that she is happy in her relationship. Last Tears, All the Way (loved it), & Run indicates some unhappiness and uncertainty. Emily has been quoted many times as saying that she tends to write about relationships and situations she's observed in others' lives, rather than her own.

I'd kinda hate to see this board become a place for speculation about her private life.

Just my two cents,

[Spike]

i like this review because "dirt and dead ends" and "they won't have me" are given the acclaim that they deserve. those are two of my favorite songs on the album, and i have a friend who hates both of those songs and often tries to convince me that "they suck." i disagree... and so does this reviewer:

Different Strokes
The Indigo Girls return for a tenth studio album that captures the organic spirit of Amy and Emily's live performances
by Tim Swoape
Published on 09/14/2006

It's hard to believe that folk-pop mainstays the Indigo Girls have been recording together for twenty years, but then again, who can imagine a summer concert season without them? Despite Our Differences, their tenth studio album, is a celebration of the two distinct personalities and songwriting styles of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers. Emily is the gentle, romantic yin to Amy's rockin', politically-charged yang. Their differences create a unique tension and balance that has endeared them to fans for two decades. Moving beyond their personal differences, the album also addresses the growing unrest in the world, as well as the give-and-take of intimate relationships, placing Despite Our Differences among the duo's finest works.

Despite Our Differences is the duo's first album for Disney-owned Hollywood Records, their new home after completing their contract with Epic, where they have resided since their 1989 major label debut. But never fear, the Girls haven't toned down their leftist political rhetoric and occasional F-bombs for their family-friendly parent company. While the new label brings with it a series of changes, the Girls' signature harmonies and heartfelt songs are still at the forefront.

This time around, the Girls pair with veteran producer Mitchell Froom (Suzanne Vega, Sheryl Crow, Paul McCartney, Los Lobos), leaving behind their comfortable Georgia digs in favor of Froom's intimate home studio in Santa Monica. The duo recorded most of the album live in one room, and the recording time was also condensed by half, clocking in at six weeks instead of the usual three months. The result is a stripped-down, organic album that comes remarkably close to capturing the energy of the Indigo Girls' ever-popular live performances.

Once again, Emily explores love and relationships in the moving affirmation of ''I Believe In Love'' and on ''Lay My Head Down,'' a song in which a partner provides a comforting, emotional center in an otherwise chaotic world. ''Fly Away,'' a serene piano ballad reminiscent of ''Leeds,'' showcases the upper register of her voice.

Amy continues to expand her songcraft as she explores larger social concerns in contemporary America. Her acoustic ''Dirt and Dead Ends,'' a stark portrait of desolation and desperation in the heartland, shines as one of Differences' most brilliant moments. The hardships and harsh realities of bank foreclosures, meth labs, and encroaching suburbia are addressed with frank, detail-rich lyrics. A plaintive harmonica punctuates the somber song like a tubleweed rolling across a forsaken Midwestern landscape. She again takes on suburbanization and the plight of rural, agriarian life in ''They Won't Have Me'' -- ''Who's gonna do the planting, and who's gonna pray for rain, and who's gonna keep the farm land from the subdivision man?''

Despite Our Differences also offers a pair of compelling guest vocal turns. Pop badass Pink delivers a full-throttle call-and-response counter melody on Amy's ''Rock and Roll Heaven's Gate,'' which chronicles the demise of several influential punk bands. With driving drum beats and grinding electric guitars in the punk tradition, it's by far the hardest rocking song on the album, and a strong argument in favor more Pink/Amy Ray collaborations. Pink is simply repaying a favor; the Girls joined Pink on the Bush-bashing ''Dear Mr. President,'' an acoustic protest song on her most recent album. On the other end of the musical spectrum, emerging singer-singwriter and recent Indigo Girls tourmate Brandi Carlile harmonizes with Emily on album closer ''Last Tears,'' a mournful pedal steel-inflected country song resolute in moving on after a relationship's end.

http://www.metroweekly.com/arts_entertainment/music.php?ak=2296

xoxo

spike :gator:

[GrrrlRomeo]

Ironically, even though BY and ATWLI are supposedly "back-to-basics", I find CONS sounds more raw.

So far, I do like the sound of DOD more than the last two albums. I've been avoiding any spoilers (live boots).

[museumliz]

Interesting how he says nothing about Pendulum Swingers or Little Perrenials...

[Spike]

Interesting how he says nothing about Pendulum Swingers or Little Perrenials...
why? not every review is going to mention every song. i like that he chose more off beat stuff.

"they won't have me" is my favorite song on the album. period. i'm not expecting much acclaim for it, so i was so happy to read that!

xoxo

spike :gator:

[museumliz]

No, that is true, but its always interesting to hear someone's opinion on the songs that have actually gotten a lot of play and are, therefore, the songs most people are more likely to hear.