Getting Somewhere

Alison has such a lovely voice that it is a shame that it gets so covered up by Steve's production. A rather muddy sound to this -- which may fit Steve's style in some cases, but not in what Allison does best ... which is to let her lyrics work their magic while that beautiful voice is clear and up front. The lyrics are even less clear on this album than has been the case on several of her recent songs.

It takes a lot of listening to get what Allison has to say, and she is an excellent lyricist with some of the most powerful songs in today's country-Americana field. But as one commentator says, she is allowing herself to drift too much towards pop. And that is just not her best metier. Compare the placement of her voice on this album with that of Brandi Carlile on her recent CD. What a shame that Steve did so badly by this wonderful talent.

At first listen, 'Getting Somewhere' plays like an Allison Moorer foray into traditional singer-songwriter pop. However, after a few spins, Moorer's personal lyrics begin to come to the surface. 'Work To Do' and 'Fairweather' are tight pop songs that deal with moving on after the end of a bad relationship and the resulting promise of a clean slate. While the protagonist of 'The Duel' from Moorer's previous album of the same name was "a newborn atheist", the main character on 'Hallelujah' wearily professes that "faith is hard to find, thank God I found mine in time". Moorer's double-tracked vocals on 'Where You Are' are simply sublime in a touching chamber-pop tune reportedly written for her sister, Shelby Lynne. Moorer's powerful voice is in fine form throughout the album and she is backed by a top-notch band that never overplays its hand. There is not a wasted note or lyric on this album that clocks in at a bit over 30 minutes. Moorer has never been better as a lyricist and...Read more

Those country traditionalists wedded to Allison Moorer's old sound will not like the way she's changed upon wedding Steve Earle. But Moorer has never allowed herself to be stuck in or chained to any one musical style, and this transition from alt-country toward a popular sensibility is a superb showcase for her fine songwriting and her magical voice. Give it a try. I love the varied instrumentation she employs as well as the variety of themes she explores. It's definitely a new day for Allison, and this change, in my view, has done her a world of good.