Little Heater

Though Catherine Irwin is known as a founding member of Freakwater and therefore as an originator of the alt-country movement, there was never anything "alt-country" about her music or her approach. Irwin's goal all along was to record music that was emotionally and sonically true to herself; she's never followed the guidelines of any genre. She has sung and written songs with an ear for her truth. She's most comfortable with rustic-sounding harmonies that retain the flavor of the earth. Here, members of Ida and Bonnie "Prince" Billy add their vocal and instrumental talents. Marc Orleans throws his pedal steel behind the gripping "To Break Your Heart," "Nightshade," and "Flowers of Darkness," with melodies that range from traditional country to those that wander like a wayward child. "Piss to Gin" leans on the banjo for its sound. Irwin believes in the beauty of raw performance and songs that could've been written centuries ago. Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music once influenced Bob Dylan in a major way, and it continues to make its presence felt on Irwin's intriguing second solo album.