Album Review
Patty Griffin
Children Running Through
ATO Records
Purchase The Album
Patty Griffin has long been hailed as one of her generation’s finest songwriters. Her music has been covered by the likes of Martina McBride, the Dixie Chicks, and Reba McEntire. Even artists from other genres like Melissa Ferrick and Jessica Simpson have taken note of her skill and put Patty’s songs on their records. Griffin is also a powerhouse vocalist, possessing a voice that can sooth one minute and cut like a knife the next. After a three year break from recording Patty has retuned with Children Running Through, another record of impeccable quality.
Griffin’s music has always been genre bending. She has always been capable of combining elements of rock, folk, country and blues effortlessly. Children Running Through is no different in this regard as it blends these sounds together into a cohesive whole. The surprising part is that this album also includes a lot of old school soul influences. It’s long been known that Patty admires that kind of music but the sound had never really made it into her own music until now. The result is a diverse collection of songs that has something to offer to just about any type of music fan.
The album opens with a hushed, almost Norah Jones style ballad titled “You’ll Remember”. The song gives Patty the opportunity to show off the power of her voice with almost no instrumentation getting in the way and her voice has never sounded better. The soul influenced tracks are some of the albums most memorable and include the lead-off single “Heavenly Day” and the stunning “Up To The Mountain (MLK Song)”. Patty’s writing often catches its characters hovering around their lowest point and yet she somehow manages to paint pictures of hope. When Patty sings (“Sometimes it feels like I’ve never been nothing but tired\And I’ll be working ‘til the day I expire”) you think she’s reached a breaking point until she sings (“Sometimes I lay down\No more can I do\But then I go on again\Because you asked me too”) and you have the feeling things are going to work out just fine even though you’re not quite sure how. “I Don’t Ever Give Up” will remind people of “When It Don’t Come Easy” and the song has that same epic feel.
Patty’s last album Impossible Dream was an overall subdued collection of well written ballads. Regardless of how well written those songs are a couple of extra upbeat songs would have added some additional balance making the ballads all the more effective. Thankfully, on Children Running Through Patty picks a couple of moments to rock it up a little bit. The funky “Stay On The Ride” has a very cool vibe complete with a little bit of a horn section and is one of the albums many highlights. “Getting Ready” shows off Patty’s unique brand of aggressive, rhythmic guitar playing. Very few artists play acoustic guitar in such a rocking manner and it’s always fun to hear Griffin hammer these types of songs out on her Gibson. She’s also known for her use of alternate tunings which can give her guitar playing unique flavor as showcased on “No Bad News” which could be the albums best track. Fans of the 1,000 Kisses record will love this song.
Children Running Through, like Impossible Dream, is an album which you must occasionally be patient with. The album opens up to you more and more through repeat listens. If you give Children Running Through a couple of listens you realize just how brilliant this record is. Patty Griffin has managed to capture all of her musical personalities on one record and that’s a treat for music fans everywhere.
Album Review by Jeff Krasky
The WOC Rating Scale |
|
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. |