American Middle Class

Drawing deeply from her Kentucky roots, Angaleena Presley steps away from her role as one-third of The Pistol Annies to offer a solo debut mixing vivid character sketches with dead-on social commentaries. *American Middle Class* invites comparisons with recent albums by Kacey Musgraves and Brandy Clark as well as vintage Loretta Lynn. As a songwriter, Presley has a gift for telling stories laced with downhome wit, anger, and empathy. “Dry County Blues,” “Pain Pills,” and “Knocked Up” are frank (and funny) glimpses of small-town life; “Drunk” and the title tune are defiant underdogs’ anthems. Tender ballads like “Better Off Red” add further luster to this finely wrought release.

Nashville's embrace of what music critic Jody Rosen has termed "bro country" has had a curious and, it seems to me, beneficial effect on man...

Nashville's embrace of what music critic Jody Rosen has termed "bro country" has had a curious and, it seems to me, beneficial effect on man...

Angaleena Presley’s solo debut is an impressive state-of-the-nation album, writes <strong>Neil Spencer</strong>

Angaleena Presley’s solo debut is an impressive state-of-the-nation album, writes <strong>Neil Spencer</strong>

The solo album American Middle Class from former Pistol Annies star Angaleena Presley is full of mordant and powerful songs

The solo album American Middle Class from former Pistol Annies star Angaleena Presley is full of mordant and powerful songs