Calliope Music Rapid Reviews
Waxahatchee - Tigers Blood
Meadow-locked Country and Wistful Charisma Bring Brimming Blues
Alt-Country in its most solid form, Waxahatchee (Katie Crutchfield) lays down a contagious charm in her pain-induced reflection. Punchy kicks, crisp cymbals, and down tempos lead relaxed progressions as gentle banjo and guitar complement Crutchfield's foremost melodies. Crutchfield is a robust vocalist, effortlessly taking flight during sustained high notes and remaining well grounded with a slight Southern twang.
The forty-three minute album is sturdy all around, bolstered by cogent Country licks and anchored by fresh songwriting. Although the Americana flavor of the instrumentals and song structures do run a bit dry over the runtime, it is Crutchfield's lyrical and vocal tone that ripen the sound. Through an impressively extensive vocabulary and genuine resonance, green pastures set the scene for heartbreak and frustration. Romanticism is bittersweet as Waxahatchee shows a real prowess in Western lexicon.
As previously mentioned, simple structures sometimes reduce the impact of the vocal content, locking in refrains to be repeated the exact same in every instance. Most of the time, there is little that shifts the focus away from the singing and towards the instrumentation, leaving the feeling that more could have been done for the music to standout.
However, pressure for innovation is largely alleviated by a solidified atmosphere, clear and rich in its tempered countryside. Paired with a fetching reflection, Tigers Blood is a more than pleasant Alt-Country experience.
Best Tracks: 3 Sisters -- Right Back to It -- Crimes of the Heart -- 365 -- Tigers Blood
6.5/10
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