Album Review
Patty Griffin
1000 Kisses
ATO Records
Purchase The Album
Patty Griffin is an artist who blurs genre boundaries and in the process becomes impossible to categorize. She’s part acoustic folk singer/songwriter, part alternative rocker, part country crooner, and her voice can deliver a song with emotion matched only by true country legends. Her debut record Living With Ghosts is an acoustic masterpiece and has obtained cult classic status. The follow-up album Flaming Red introduced us to a rocking artist with her hand firmly on the pulse of popular music.
Things were looking good for Patty Griffin. She had two critically acclaimed albums under her belt, had toured with the Dixie Chicks and had her songs cut by superstars like Emmylou Harris and Martina McBride. Then things started falling apart. Her long awaited third album titled Silver Bell kept getting pushed back further and further by her record label. The label decided to not release the album and Patty left the label disenchanted with the music business. Luckily for music fans one of her friends talked her into recording some tracks she salvaged from the Silver Bell disaster in his new basement studio in Nashville.
The end result is a stunning collection of songs titled 1000 Kisses. In this album’s 10 tracks Patty Griffin speaks more than any mainstream country artist could dream to in a span of many records. It’s a return to the acoustic roots that made her a name on her first record but it also establishes her as one of the finest songwriters recording today.
The album opens with “Rain” and Patty’s voice soars over a simple acoustic guitar. The song continues to build up energy until the climax where both Patty and her guitar playing hit a stunning level of emotion. It’s a tell tale sign of the stripped down sound of the entire album. There aren’t any fancy production tricks here. “Chief” is the albums upbeat moment with its high mountain sound.
The single “Makin’ Pies” is a classic example of Patty’s songwriting. It’s simple yet can take the life of a woman who works for a Table Talk pie factory a powerful tale. Combine that with Patty’s inventive guitar styling and you have a real winner. One of the best tracks she’s recorded to date.
My only complaint with the record is that it’s short; 9 tracks with an instrumental at the end. It’s also quite a downer. The songs are depressing and the album never really lightens up. It’s a clear reflection of the mindset Patty must have been in when it was recorded. If you’re looking for the next big summer hit, look somewhere else. But if you’re looking for an artist pouring her soul out look no further.
Patty Griffin has one again delivered with 1000 Kisses. It’s a stripped down, emotional record that establishes Patty as a force to be reckoned with in modern day roots music (alt country, folk, folk rock, Americana, whatever you want to call it). It’s not your every day country record. But you might just find yourself thinking back to a time before all the pop flavorings found its way into Nashville. It is one hell of a record and anyone who is any kind of a music fan should own a copy.
Album Review by Jeff Krasky
The WOC Rating Scale |
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The album stands above the rest. This is a record that every country music fan needs to have in their collection. This album is better than the average release. A strong record with some flaws that keep it from reaching that 5 star level. This album is an average country release. Doesn't posses qualities that make it stand out among all the other albums out there. A weak record that lacks solid songs or good vocal performances. Sample before you buy. This record is a bargin-bin reject that just isn't worth the time or the money. Completely misses the mark. |