Music reviews

Lucy Dacus Historian (The Label) ★★★★ In every musical genre, genuinely inspired artists reach out to touch our heart, mind or soul. They lay themselves open to tell their stories without ever knowing, or even necessarily caring, if anyone will connect. Their primary need is to express themselves artistically rather than think about what might appeal to others. Richmond, Virginia, artist Lucy Dacus’ second album is a dark night of the soul affair where lyrics such as ‘‘I feel no need to forgive but I might as well’’ ( Night Shift) and ‘‘I used to be too deep into my head now I amfar too far out of my skin, I amat peace, with my death, I can go back to bed’’ ( Next Of Kin), with its crunching guitar blitz and swooning pop melody, are deep, dark and cathartic. Dacus says Historian is the album she needed to make and in the standout track, Pillar Of Truth, as sumptuous a piece of Americana, with old school spiritual values that examine faith and hope, you’re likely to hear, she ensured it’s an album we need to listen to – at least once. – Mike Alexander It’s a novel concept – The Shins take their 2017 album Heartworms, reverse the order, and record alternate takes of the songs. The new versions keep the lyrics and vocal melodies, while changing the mood and instrumentation. The end result falls somewhere closer to gimmickry than genius. Almost unavoidably, these are the ‘‘runnerup’’ compositions, with the Heartworms songs – which themselves weren’t amazing – remaining the definitive versions. It’s also very safe. As one example, So Now What remains a pleasant and slightly dull ballad, although now it’s performed by a prom band, rather than a Beach Boys tribute group. The Worm’s Heart is just pleasantly unmemorable. – James Cardno Big Star Big Star Live at Lafayette’s Music Room-Memphis, TN (Omnivore) ★★★★ The story of Big Star is well known: so much raw talent and promise scuttled by infighting, bad deals and tragedy. Live at Lafayette’s Music Room spotlights the band in a state of flux. With the departure of founding member Chris Bell not long before this 1973 show, they found themselves pared down to a three piece, with Alex Chilton taking the reins. As this demonstrates, they barely skipped a beat. Here, there’s little evidence of the group’s on-record polish: instead, it’s simply an hour’s worth of gloriously raw, raucous rock’n’roll. Live at Lafayette’s is a snapshot of one of America’s finest bands near its peak. – Jack Barlow