Tift Merritt - Another Country

 Best of the Year
This is an outstanding album, best I have heard this year. Gorgeous, restrained vocals; intelligent, sensitive lyrics; and a first rate backup band combine to make this a rare and rewarding musical experience. Outstanding audio quality as well. If you have not heard Tift Merrett before, this is an excellent, accessible intro; if you have, I think you will find this a major step forward in her musical evolution.

Neal G. May 8, 2008

 Grand but Subdued
Tift Merritt's latest effort, long in coming, proves that she is a songwriter of range and merit. This album is somewhat more subtle than
her previous effort, 2004's "Tambourine" and it suffers for it. Even still, it was well worth the wait. May 3, 2008

 Good listening sound
This is this singer best outing. I can listen to it over and over again. April 22, 2008

 Her best yet
In my opinion, this is Tift's best album yet. It is evident that she put her heart and soul into this one. Great, great music. April 19, 2008

 MELODIC FOLK/COUNTRY ROCK AND VELVETY VOCALS
I often enjoy female singers who can inject a little more edge into their vocals than can be found on this album (for example, Patty Griffin, Brandi Carlile or Thea Gilmore). However, I can easily make an exception in the case of TM; she has a very pleasant, velvety soprano voice and an unforced, spontaneous style of singing - I think her voice combines the folksy purity of Judy Collins and the country sensibility of Rosanne Cash.

'Another Country' is an album of (mainly) mid-tempo folk-country songs; many have captivating melodies, and lyrics which are a clear cut above those of many 'regular' pop songs - they have emotional depth, often conveying a sense of personal alienation and isolation (but also tinged with optimism). TM is supported by some competent playing from her session musicians; whilst this playing is fairly low-key, you should listen out for some great guitar from Charlie Sexton (lead electric) and Doug Pettibone (pedal steel) - occasionally, introducing a little edge to the music (but most of the time, the guys behave themselves). Also, don't miss the delicious harmony vocals (Jay Brown) which feature on some tracks.

Standout tracks for me were : 'Broken' - up tempo country pop-rockers don't come much better than this, 'Another Country' - a gorgeous slower tempo song about unfulfilled yearning, and the blue-eyed soulful 'Morning Is My Destination' (and there are 3 or 4 other songs not far behind in the pecking order). However, there were a couple of songs with which I couldn't connect : 'Tell Me Something True' - I thought the 1970s influenced, commercial R&B/soul arrangement sounded dated; and whilst I can understand the reason for including 'Mille Tendresses', I thought TM failed to nail down this song.


So if you like gentler folk/country-rock which is high on melody and low on edge, then look no further - there are half a dozen or so songs, on 'Another Country', that should easily fit the bill. Simple songs with lyrics that are far from simplistic - nice album. April 16, 2008

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