Indestructible Machine

Lydia Loveless\' sophomore release, *Indestructible Machine*, sees the alt-country spitfire exploding into a country-punk fireball. “Bad Way To Go” makes clear the road ahead. There are more barbed-wire guitars, more songs with Loveless spewing what’s on her mind with the color of a gin-soaked sailor on leave, and truckloads more of her redhaired fury. Loveless easily earns the “punk” half of the country-punk label here (she did do some time as a youth the punk scene of Columbus, Ohio). Songs like “Can’t Change Me” and “More Like Them” are full of big, chugging guitars and aggressive percussion; “Jesus Was a Wino” and “Do Right” surge on amphetamine snares and nervy banjo. When Loveless isn’t telling funny stories (the fictional “Steve Earle” is a hoot) or delivering a verbal bitch-slap with her powerhouse voice, she’s lamenting another hangover or her bad behavior. “My mouth is like a sinking boat / I keep pouring words out, hopin’ I can keep afloat,” she almost apologizes. We forgive you, Lydia. Carry on.

Discover Indestructible Machine by Lydia Loveless released in 2011. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic.