Despite Our Differences

The Indigo Girls (Amy Ray and Emily Saliers) have been creating great records for more than twenty years. Their tenth studio release, Despite Our Differences on Hollywood Records is both consistent with the quality of all their output and as diverse and distinctive as anything they've put out to date. Produced by Mitch Froom at his California home base, this set was made "almost" live. It's remarkable in the internet/digital age for a record to be a "record" of a performance. Instead of flying in vocals, solos and rhythm tracks like a musical tossed salad, this CD is mostly recorded with all the players in the same ballpark, at the same time. At the risk of over-mixing metaphors: this collection is beautifully under mixed.

In addition to the usual alternating of Amy vocal leads and Emily vocal leads Despite Our Differences features cameos by Pink (you gotta love her) and Brandi Carlisle. The CD opens with "Pendulum Swinger" which addresses sexism, Republican foreign policy and a social agenda. Emily is ready for that pendulum that swings between individual aspiration and social responsibility to swing back on the side of the caring. The message is delivered in a personal and less sanctimonious way. These Georgia girls are able to make issues personal, and individual experience universal. You can't beat that for commentary on the human condition. It's meaningful, but never preachy.

Matt Chamberlain lays down tasteful drums on every track he touches. The whole bag is more upbeat and pop than the typical folkie Indigo deal. The hints of Corrine Bailey Rae and Alanis Morrisette are welcome stylistic innovations. When Amy asks, "Did you feel affiliated" you get what the "Rock and Roll Heaven's Gate" is really about. It's a Sartre's No Exit existential take on the "So You Wanna Be A Rock And Roll Star" theme. In contrast, Emily's "I Believe In Love" is all about faith, and unashamed to be folkie. The guitar is finger-plucked, but the drums still give it enough energy to make it work. This is a subtle breakout for the Girls. They haven't abandoned anything, but it's sure a more grown-up thing than they have been putting out.

Amy Ray has released some solo stuff that is almost punk. "Three County Highway" is full of that old "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" country soul. That's really the difference in the Indigo Girls on Despite Our Differences, the soul. They've evolved separately. They've changed. They're still on the same spiritual page. They've got a little more soul in this record. There's no attempt to be authentic, folk-based or reconciling. This is tighter, cleaner and more polished-but the raw emotion is more in the fore. Despite Our Differences is the most fearless offering from Ray and Saliers in ten years.

By Dave Morgan