MOG Editorial Review

On her latest album, singer-songwriter Amy LaVere manages to put a new spin on pleasant-sounding alt-country by pairing it with lyrics that are anything but, crafting murder ballads that ought to satisfy fans of a grittier, darker brand of rock. Opener "Damn Love Song" immediately sets the vibe, as brooding guitars provide the perfect backdrop as LaVere's lyrics are anything but what the title indicates. "A Great Divide," meanwhile, finds her getting upbeat even as she sings about the divide that often comes with the collapse of a relationship. While songs this grim are usually reserved for a boys club led by Nick Cave and Tom Waits, LaVere easily earns her place while giving the themes a unique spin all her own here.