Album Review - Indigo Girls - Despite Our Differences
John Metzger
After it reached the big time in 1989 by scoring a hit single with
Closer to Fine, the Indigo Girls admirably spent the next decade doing
everything it could to make sure that each of its endeavors was markedly
different from its predecessor. However, by the time the duo released
its seventh outing Come On Now Social, the strain of its ambitions had
begun to weigh heavily upon its work, and the challenge of trying push
its music in new directions while also retaining the organic
effortlessness of its past affairs proved to be almost too much to bear.
Although it further highlighted the problems the group was experiencing,
the Indigo Girls' career-spanning Retrospective provided an opportunity
for reflection, which, in turn, allowed it to take a back-to-basics
approach on its subsequent albums Become You and All that We Let In.
The Indigo Girls' latest effort Despite Our Differences continues to
follow a similar trajectory, though note-for-note, it also is the most
infectious, pop-infused set that the duo ever has managed to concoct. In
fact, its melodies, harmonies, and arrangements are so ingratiating that
-- from the bracing, Who-inspired power chords of Rock and Roll Heaven's
Gate (which includes a guest appearance by Pink) to the shimmering,
XTC-meets-Bob Dylan charm of Pendulum Swinger to the soaring and soulful
strains of the Billy Joel-inspired Lay My Head Down -- the album carries
the weight of an instant classic.
This is an excerpt. To read the complete review, please visit:
http://www.musicbox-online.com/reviews-2006/indigogirls-despiteourdifferences.html