Band : Jolie Holland

Album Title : The Living And The Dead

Label : Epitaph-Anti

Distributor : PIAS - Concreteweb Promotion

Release Date : 06/10/2008

Release : CD

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Jolie Holland has a new third album “The Living And The Dead”. On this new album Jolie Holland ranges far and wide, adding to her earlier take on folk and country and jazz that other distinctly American articulation, rock n roll. The results are undeniable. It’s full of smoky speakeasy atmosphere combined with some contemporary roots sound, which provides a more evocative backdrop for her signature vocals. Her appealingly spare, classic vocals straddling folk and indie rock with the grace of a jazz singer is not quite for a metal audience. Therefore Jolie Holland is losing herself in booze and candles lit for those passed on. Her material is the perfect occasion for a movie soundtrack. She combines the spirit of rock and roll and gets louder, looser and rowdier than her previous albums. Besides that producer Shahzad Ismaily, a multi-instrumentalist who has composed film scores, adds plenty of sounds to the album. Other guest appearances are from the seemingly omnipresent M. Ward on guitar and journeyman Marc Ribot. On closing track "Enjoy Yourself" Holland is joined by her former The Be Good Tanyas  bandmate Samantha Parton.

85/100

Guido Claes.