Absolute Torch & Twang

Comment: Ever since k.d. lang emerged in the 1980s she and her music have defied conventional expectations. Absolute Torch and Twang finds lang, frequent co-writer Ben Mink, and the Reclines integrating honky tonk, torch song, western swing, and rockabilly in a way that no one else was doing in 1989. Imagine: country music with an insistent, minimalistic, almost B52s-style drum beat; or, western swing that veers closer to straight-ahead jazz than anything else in 1980s country music. The most amazing thing is that even with this eclecticism, Absolute Torch and Twang works beautifully as an album. Deciding which are the strongest tracks is probably a highly personal issue, as evidenced by some of the other reviews at this site. The reason? Because the quality level is so high throughout. Naturally, lang's voice holds the album together, but don't lose sight of the fact that the consistency of rhetorical voice throughout also helps to make this one of the most coherent albums in the country genre. In particular, the non-lang and non-lang/Mink songs fit in so well that overall impact of the lyrics, music, arrangements, and production is nearly seamless. As an illustration of how one artist took the eclecticism and jazziness of Patsy Cline as a jumping off point, Absolute Torch and Twang is spectacular; however, the album is much more than that. This album is solid in every aspect and one of the great collections in any genre from its time.

Comment: This is probably the album that made k.d.lang a recording star, and it is a standout. I recommend it for anyone who loves a finely tuned voice at its best. It is a disc that not only country-western fans will enjoy. Every lang album is a treasure, so this belongs in every musical lovers collection.

Comment: i have many of her cds....this is by far my favorite. classic. A must own for any fan of pure country.

Comment: I have enjoyed this album thoroughly since I first purchased it nearly 20 years ago. I do not have many of Ms. lang's cds, so I can't/won't attempt to compare them. Yesterday, I decided to place it in the CD player. It had been quite some time since I had listened to it. I was stunned at how great it sounded. The music does not sound dated in any way. I personally love the mixture of swing and ballads. The voice, of course, is phenomenal. Certainly worth considering and a good addition to anyone's collection.

Comment: This is a great CD, but my heart still prefers "hymns of the 49th parallel". Every fan of k.d. lang (or anyone who loves to listen to something quite special) should own "hymns"-- and then buy this one for comparison.