Lynn, White team up to rock album

Ear candy

Ratings
4 stars = Melts in your mouth
3 stars = Tasty
2 stars = Sweet & Sour
1 star = rotten

 

Loretta Lynn,
“Van Lear Rose”

***

Any woman pushing 70 who can belt out a country tune and team up with Jack White while doing it deserves more than just a little respect, and Loretta Lynn has certainly earned it with her latest release.

The album has its share of twangy, wistful ballads “Trouble on the Line” and plunky, jilted lover lamentations “Family Tree” – if it didn’t, it wouldn’t be country and it certainly wouldn’t be Loretta Lynn. But White’s contribution as lead guitarist, as well as producer, puts an alluring spin on Lynn’s traditional sound. Aside from “Portland Oregon,” White and Lynn’s duet, White’s rock ‘n’ roll influence shines through clear as day on tracks like “Have Mercy” and “Mrs. Leroy Brown.”

Trying to figure out how the collaboration of a honky-tonk legend and rock’s new bad boy produced such an oddly appealing album would make my head explode, so I’ll just say this: It works.

— Mandy Wright

 

The Vestals
“The Vestals”

****

Minnesota, eh? The Vestals just may be the best thing to come out of the land o’ lakes since that smooth, creamy butter with the cute little Indian on it. The foursome’s self-titled debut is unbelievably Beatles-esque in a “Magical Mystery Tour” kind of way, which leads to the band’s biggest strength: Their songs are comfortingly familiar, yet thrillingly unpredictable.

Brothers and vocalists Ben and Jeremy Gordon have a versatile sound, and blend together seamlessly to produce vocals that range from John Lennon to Neil Diamond. And on top of that, they’ve got a sharp sense of humor. In tracks like “Another Way to Kill Me” and “Too Late to Say Goodbye,” jaded and bitter lyrics are set to a bouncy, upbeat tune. Sarcasm, talent and British influences – didn’t know the Midwest had it in ‘em.

— Mandy Wright