indigo girls: despite our differences

Despite Our Differences marks the Indigo Girls’ 20th year as a going concern and, as a suitably fitting landmark, is their 10th studio album. You might wonder what Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have left to say after such a long time, but this is the Indigo Girls we’re talking about here. As well as their by now familiar political tunes, the girls take a frank look at personal relationships and allow themselves to indulge in a little introspection too, all delivered with intelligence and fire. For a pair so far along in their career, Despite Our Differences sounds remarkably fresh and enthusiastic. It certainly sounds like an Indigo Girls album, dominated as it is by chiming acoustic guitars and their trademark vocal harmonies, but there’s something else. Something new that snags the ear.

The opening trio of songs are immediate and attention grabbing. ‘Pendulum Swinger’ is possibly the most hummable anti-establishment protest song that you’ll hear for a long time to come; it’s as much of an indictment of George W Bush’s testosterone-filled leadership image as it is a catchy pop ditty. Not easy to pull off, I imagine. Meanwhile, first single ‘Little Perennials’ is resolutely positive about the personal rewards of truly throwing yourself into a new relationship, while ‘I Believe In Love’ manages to be sweet and touching without sentimental overindulgence.

Given the strength of this triumphant start, it is perhaps no surprise that, on first hearing at least, the mellow, rootsy approach of ‘Three County Highway’ pales in comparison. That’s just first impressions, however, and repeated auditions allow the rest of the songs to grow. There’s some interesting, and in one case perhaps unlikely, cameo performances too. The swinging indictment of music industry commercialism ‘Rock & Roll Heaven’s Gate’ features backing vocals from none other than P!nk, while the tender closer ‘Last Tears’ boasts the vocal stylings of up-and-coming alt-folk heroine Brandi Carlile.

It’s difficult to say how much of the album’s freshness is due to the duo in trusting their sound to über-producer Mitchell Froom, but whatever the answer, it’s worked! Despite Our Differences ease the sonically beautiful album and it draws the listener in with a mix of killer hooks and provocative verbal imagery. Froom’s great skill here is not to have imposed his own sound upon the recording but rather to have created a sort of heightened Indigo experience.

It seems likely that posterity will rank Despite Our Differences among the finest examples of the Indigo Girls’ output. Be that as it may simply taken on its own merits it seems clear that it represents to prodigiously talented songwriters rejuvenated and enjoying their art form. And that can only be good for fans and casual listeners alike. Differences or not, there’s no room for disagreement on that front.

[Hollywood; February 12, 2007]

Written by: Trevor Raggatt

Tags: brandi carlile, despite our differences, indigo girls

This entry was posted on Monday, February 12th, 2007 at 2:28 pm and is filed under albums & EPs, reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.