I’m in my first hockey pool in
many years. I idiotically picked way too many Boston Bruins so I probably won’t
win, but at least I won’t have divided loyalties while I’m watching the games.
Speaking of which – Boston wins
our opener 2-1! 15 wins to go…
Disc 993 is…Highway Queen
Artist: Nikki
Lane
Year of Release: 2017
What’s up with the Cover? This looks like a country farm
version of that iconic moment in the movie Titanic.
Instead of shouting “King of the World!” I assume Nikki will shout “I’m
Queen of the Highway!” Or maybe she’s trying to get that steer to move. If so
she should get some help, or find a smaller steer.
How I Came To Know It: I liked both of Nikki Lane’s
earlier albums, so when I heard there was a new one out I checked it out on
Youtube. I liked it enough to buy it as well.
How It Stacks Up: I have three Nikki Lane albums. I like all of
them about equally and for slightly different reasons. “Highway Queen” feels a
bit more mature – particularly in vocal delivery – but it is also a bit too
mainstream. Because I like the more genre bending elements of her earlier
efforts, I’m going to put it at number three. It is still a solid record and just
as good as earlier efforts, just a little different.
Ratings: 3 stars
After
two very bluesy alternative country albums, “Highway Queen” finds Nikki Lane
driving a bit more down the middle of country. There are still flourishes here
and there that demonstrate she’s more than just a run-of-the-mill Nashville
country act, but she embraces Nashville sounds more than she has on previous albums.
Despite
the many bad things I’ve said about new Nashville music, “Highway Queen” shows
you can use these sounds in a way that is interesting. While Lane walks dangerously
close to the line of Nu Country, she never tips over into the obvious. If
anything, she shows that there are ways to use these melodic structures and “yeehaw!”
attitudes and still make interesting music.
The
opening track, “700,000 Rednecks”
comes perilously close to going wrong. It is a catchy song but it also feels
like it is trying just a little too hard for a hit. However, after this the
album settles into some up tempo country classics, with just the right touch of
rock and roll to let you know Lane hasn’t lost her edge.
The
album has a celebratory feel. Despite some songs that are clearly reflective of
broken hearts and bad decisions (this is country
music, after all), it is clear that Nikki is having a good time, and happy to
bring us along for the ride.
“Jackpot” is a Las Vegas song of excess
telling one of the records several bad relationship songs, but it is done with
such joie de vivre you get the sense the journey wasn’t all bad. As Lane admits,
“life ain’t been too hard/Since you ran
away from me.”
“Companion” shows Lane’s willingness to
stretch the genre, ending with a doo wop chorus that would fit on some bubble
gum hit from the fifties. It is an homage to an earlier sound, skillfully
updated for the present. Later “Send the
Sun” has a seventies a.m. radio feel that shows you how that swaying,
finger-snapping beat (minus actual finger snapping) from the fifties translates
well into styles twenty years later and into the present day as well. Listening
to these songs I got the strong impression that Lane understands and respects
the music that came before.
“Big Mouth” is a great “keep my name out
of your mouth” song, with a rolling rock riff and a defiant Lane making it
clear that she doesn’t enjoy the rumours some gossipmonger has been spreading
about her.
The girlish
vocal delivery present in some songs on earlier records is mostly gone as well.
Lane’s voice on these songs remains playful where it is called for, but there
is a worldly wise quality and a willingness to finish each line with conviction
that lends the gravitas to these songs that they need.
The
production decisions are also solid, if a bit obvious. The instruments are nice
and even in the mix. While there isn’t anything special, Lane and co-producer
Jonathan Tyler seem to understand that their job is to stand back and let the
songs work their magic.
The
record ends strong, with a couple of somber tracks, “Muddy Waters” and “Forever
Lasts Forever.” The latter song is a heartwrenching tale of love gone
wrong, with some classically country twists of phrase, like:
“The only ring left on my finger
Is a lighter shade of skin”
The
album is only 10 songs and 36 minutes long so it doesn’t take long to feel like
it is an old friend. This is a solid effort from an artist that deserves a lot
more credit than she’s getting from the Nashville establishment. Not being
recognized by them is more of a badge of honour anyway.
Best
tracks: Highway
Queen, Big Mouth, Muddy Waters, Forever Lasts Forever
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