Servant of Love
On her ninth album, Patty Griffin takes a left turn, incorporating bracing jazz and blues influences into her trademark contemporary folk sound. Griffin’s weathered voice is still central: Country tones seep into her melodies, and she expertly crafts poetic turns of phrase—particularly on “250,000 Miles,” a shattering exploration of maternal grief. But syncopated rhythms enliven tracks like “Gunpowder” and “There Isn’t One Way,” while “Noble Ground” boasts a raunchy blues swagger that’s wholly captivating.
“Ambulance drivers and grave diggers/Mislaid fortunes grown bigger and bigger/Polar ice caps below and above/Conquered and…
Patty Griffin embraces jazzy and north African musical modes on this excellent new album