Indigo Girls - All That We Let In

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Free Music Notes for All That We Let In

Free Music Review: Feels like a duo again!
Hit: 5 Stars

All That We Let In is the first album since Swamp Ophelia that feels like it was recorded as a whole album instead of a collection of songs -- and the first since Swamp Ophelia that feels like it's a true INDIGO GIRLS album, instead of a showcase of the contrasting styles of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers. Of course, their differences are what makes them interesting as a duo, but they finally seem to be working on common ground again here.

Emily, who spent the last few albums mostly immersed in the lullaby-ish ballads that she writes so well, seems to have stepped up to the challenge set by Amy's more daring songwriting with this album -- both musically and lyrically. She actually rocks out on a few tracks, most notably "Fill It Up Again" and "Rise Up," which is just fantastic to hear. And although the title track, "All That We Let In," is classic Emily (i.e. a folksy ballad), its lyrics are biting and poignant in an openly political way.

I must say, it makes me feel great to hear Emily "the quiet one" attacking our president's suppression of anyone he can suppress, in her words, "in the name of the free." (This line often earns a round of applause from fans when they play it live.)

And if you're the type who adores the ballads that Emily has become known for... don't worry. She's as good at writing love songs as she ever was. "Free in You" might just be the most uplifting Indigo love song out there, and "Come On Home" one of the darkest. "Something Real" lingers somewhere between dark and uplifting, but the impression it leaves is a lasting one.

But although this seems to be something of a comeback album for Emily, Amy's songs are far from disappointing! Indigo fanatics (myself included) were a little weirded out (read: "a LOT weirded out") by the ska-influenced arrangements on the previously-acoustic song "Heartache For Everyone" -- but even if the sound surprises you at first, give it a few listens. If it can grow on me, it can grow on anyone.

As for the other four Amy-penned songs on the album, I'd be very surprised if you even needed to give them a second listen before adding them to your Best Songs of All Time playlist. "Cordova" is a tender, heartbreaking ballad that shows off Amy's impressive tenor range beautifully. "Perfect World" and "Dairy Queen" (an environmental activist song and a song about a broken relationship, respectively) are both the type of catchy song that gets stuck in your head -- but unlike a lot of catchy tunes you hear these days, you'll be HAPPY to have these melodies in your head.

And "Tether" might just be the best song on the entire album. A rock anthem clocking in at over six minutes in length, "Tether" gives Amy a chance to jam as only Amy can do, while still managing to give us some of her best lyrics to date. I'd have bought this album for "Tether" alone.

But that's not the point. The point is that while each song on ATWLI has its own unique and wonderful merits, this album works magnificently as a whole. So whether you're a curious newbie to Amy and Emily's music, or a longtime fan, this album is a must-have.

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