2010-12-03
Jodee Lewis (channeling her best Alison Krauss) and Steve Hendershot are the Chicago duo known as The Spares. On their third record, they get a little darker, leading off with "I Don't Miss," a rocking little wordplay about an angry woman with a gun, and continues through "Earthquake," "Like We Were" and "Has He Told You" (which warns about a two-timin' guy). Somebody's had some heartache here! But the music is great and the harmonies fine. "Center of the World" is another upbeat folk-rock message tune, "Revolution" is a wry commentary on the roller-coaster nature of politics and "Wanted Man" is a bluesy tale. The Spares make intelligent, well-crafted music. Probably the only thing that keeps them from making the big time is a limited touring schedule: Lewis is a mom of two (about to be three) and was a chemical engineer before music and motherhood changed her direction. Let's support the family. 12/10 MJVD F-Alt CountryTHE GOTHIC ARCHIES
The Tragic Treasury
Melissa Ferrick
The Other Side
Robert Earl Keen
Live at the Ryman
BOOKA AND THE FLAMING GECKOS
The Not So Meaningful Songs in the Life of Jeremy Fink
NEIL YOUNG
Live at Massey Hall, 1971
Ani DiFranco: Reprieve
Reprieve
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