boo-cinda

the crackling, subtle ensemble playing and beautiful textures save lucinda williams' west from mediocrity. but what happened to the songwriting? with two or three exceptions ("are you alright?", "come on", "where is my love?") these new tunes seem more like exercises than...thoughtful, careful, longing, special songs. i love it when lu goes simple, but these sound like reheated versions of songs from the inspired world without tears album, perhaps her best, and she's always good. if you're soon at the music store, snag that baby instead of going west. this new, so-so disappointment will soon show up used.