Speed of Light

AMG Review of Speed of Light

William Ruhlmann
All Music Guide

Holly Near lifted her ban on male musicians on her sixth album, employing guitarist Robben Ford on one track and the group Afrikan Dreamland on two others, while co-writing a song with her old partner Jeff Langley. Along with such guests as Sheila Escovedo (later known as Sheila E.), the performers cooked up Near's catchiest collection of pop-rock ever. Of course, once you were lured in by the ear candy, Near delivered her usual political messages, whether it was opposing U.S. involvement in Latin America ("El Salvador") or nuclear power (a cover of John and Johanna Hall's "Power") or paying tribute to "anarchist/teacher" "Emma [Goldman]." On the emotional front, Near sounded more uncertain and unhappy than she had on any album since she came out as a lesbian. Frequently reflecting on being alone ("Lonely Days," "Coming Home"), she also seemed to hold potential lovers at arms' length ("Back Off," "I Really Didn't Want To"). Especially on "Coming Home," another of her on-the-road songs, the dominant feature of Near's love life seemed less her sexual orientation than the itinerant nature of her job.