Album Review
Patty Griffin
Impossible Dream
ATO Records
Purchase The Album
It's becoming quite apparent that each and every time Patty Griffin releases an album fans are in for a treat. Griffin's record label troubles are well documented and eventually lead to the shelving of her third album Silver Bell, which still hasn't and at this point most likely never will see the light of day. Patty got back on her feet and released 1000 Kisses in 2002 on ATO Records which stands as one of the best female alt-country records of all time. A live album from the 1000 Kisses tour followed. Now she has released her second full length album for ATO Records titled Impossible Dream. It is a dark, slow, and brooding collection of incredibly well written songs that once again while being entirely Patty Griffin manages to show another dimension of this talented singer-songwriter.
If you're looking for happy-go-lucky music, then this is not your album. A single acoustic guitar and Patty's soaring voice drive "Cold As It Gets" where she sings "I know a darkness that's darker than coal/A wind that blows as cold as it gets/Blew out the light of my soul". It's Patty Griffin at her finest. Her character seems beat down to the point of breaking but there is this underlying strength that you know will pull her through. The gospel flavor found in "Standing" is unlike anything Griffin has ever attempted before and her soulful vocal performance makes it stand on its own. "Useless Desires" would sound right at home on 1000 Kisses and stands as this best of the many solid tracks found here.
Patty's own version of "Top of the World," a song made popular by the Dixie Chicks finally makes it onto a record and there is no doubt whose song this is. It's one of the most stunning ballads I've ever heard. It was good when the Dixie Chicks performed it, it's jaw-dropping when Patty gives it a whirl. "Florida" is another song fans of Griffin will be instantly familiar with and it's great to finally hear it on an album, it's more classic Patty Griffin. The lead off single "Love Throws A Line" is the only more upbeat song found on this record and it seems like some radio stations might finally be ready to give Griffin the attention she deserves.
Griffin also brings to the table a number of piano based ballads on this record, which is new and different for an artist of such impressive guitar chops. The 7 minute epic "Mother Of God" is simply breathtaking. "The Kite Song" has kind of a fluttering, almost lazy feel to it which is perfect for the lyrical content.
The album could have used a couple of upbeat songs to break up all of the ballads. It makes the album a little hard to swallow at times but, like all of Griffin's work, it wins you over in the end. It's not as dynamic as 1000 Kisses was but I'm not sure Patty wanted it to be.
Impossible Dream is a challenging record. It can be compared somewhat to being trapped in a tunnel with no flashlight but somewhere in this bleak, gut wrenching collection of songs Griffin connects on a deep level with her audience. We all struggle at times and Patty has put a voice to all of that and when the last minutes roll of this record you can't help but think maybe that Impossible Dream isn't so impossible after all.
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. |