Last week I relented to an impulse buy of Lucinda Williams’ Car Wheels On A Gravel Road, even though I already own a copy. Gotta tip the old hat to Amazon.com for offering it as a daily download deal ($1.99); one click later I was reliving an old favorite. We’re not here to discuss old favorites, that’s probably another post, but instead would like to recommend the latest Lucinda release, Little Honey.

Milwaukee readers will recognize many of these songs from her recent Summerfest performance, but on record, and on repeat, they really sink in. The album starts off with a rockin ode to love, appropriately titled “Real Love.” Love plays a revolving role throughout the record, where she would have previously ignored its pull, she’s certainly found comfort in its confines. It is, in effect, Lucinda at her most comfortable. It is Lucinda the optimist. These songs were not necessarily new, but born out of the same batch of songs that were created during the recording of West. Where that record reflects on the unflattering aspect of the tumultuous relationship roller coaster, Little Honey offers hope in hopelessness and ultimately, happiness.

The album has been in non-stop rotation, and if you’re looking to hear Lucinda at her best, just take a couple spins through “Wishes Were Horses,” which easily ranks amongst her best penned material. Lucinda further demonstrates her comfort in her own skin by closing out the record with her own take on the AC/DC’s “It’s A Long Way To The Top.”

Catch Lucinda Williams this weekend in Madison at the Orpheum Theatre on Saturday, October 25th. Tickets are $30 and still available.

Discuss: Are you a Lucinda Williams fan? What do you think of the new record? Have you seen her in concert? What are your favorite songs/records?

Myspace: Lucinda Williams

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