1x****
Not surprisingly the tracks of the album seem divided between Bob and Alison's sensibilities, though there are some surprises. "Rich Woman" definitely falls to Robert's Band, and they really like tremolo, which gives the song a sweaty but monochromatic sound. "Killing The Blues" is a straight Alison country track, though played subtler and deeper than any typical country band. Most of the songs bounce between these two poles, though "Sister Rosetta" takes a kind of Slavic turn, though with the band's unique, deep sound. "Gone Gone Gone"**** is another that fits Robert's style better, though the garage/surf sound is not necessarily typical for him either. "Fortune Teller", probably the most recognizable song, is similar to "Rich Woman", including the tremolo, and is so muted that it never really takes off. "Please Read The Letter" is the only original song here (by Bob) and builds almost to the point of a power ballad; meanwhile "Nothin" is jarringly restrained in both tempo and intensity, but Bob was holding back on us - out pops that Zeppelin guitar that was hiding, and the Zeppelin unplugged string section; on this album it's a bit much. While some of the Alison songs are merely pleasant, "Trampled Rose" is beautifully dark bluegrass, and "Through The Morning, Through The Night" and perfectly fitting closer "Your Long Journey" are the unapologetically traditional emotional high (or low) points that haunt.
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