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Essence Lost Highway by Scott Snidow |
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Essence is a musically well put together album that is chocked full of songs about loneliness, obsession, depression, and a whole host of other psychological pitfalls that make it a Freudian playground. There are notes of redemption placed here and there, but by and large Williams has taken a foray into the darker side of human relationships on this outing. If there were any one underlying theme that courses its way through the tracks of Essence, I would say that it would have to be obsessive/possessive love and romantic imagery. This theme is repeated on many cuts on this album, most notably in such songs as "Steal Your Love", "I Envy The Wind", and the title track "Essence". In this last track, Williams portrays her love interest as a drug in which she is in a desperate need of a fix of, so much so that her entire existence seems to be waiting for the moment where she can capture the essence of that love. "Steal Your Love" finds Williams admitting that "I don't need a knife, and I don't need a gun, I know how to steal your love." Again, the theme of a love at any cost type of obsession can be seen in these lines. Lyrically and poetically though, the cornerstone of her obsessive songs most certainly has to be "I Envy The Wind". Even without the music, the words that Williams has assembled for this song make for some breathtaking poetry. Consider this excerpt: I envy the wind She goes on to list her envy of such elements as the sun and the rain because of their ability to always be near, and in some ways possess, the object of her desire. As a result, Williams provides a completely fresh and unique approach to a topic that dates back to the days of Shakespeare. Essence may well be one of Lucinda Williams' more poignant releases both lyrically and musically to date. However, those who are seeking that rocking sound that permeated the tracks of Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, or perhaps hoping to see a revival of the blues based rock that was found on many of her early releases, may be slightly disappointed. Essence is a slower, darker album offering a look at relationships from the artist's point of reference. Therefore, out of necessity, the music also has a more brooding feel to it. In fact, there is only one song on the disc that could be consider a "rocker," and that is the southern infused "Get Right With God". Beautiful, yet stark in its simplicity, there is no doubt that Essence will garner Williams more critical and popular praise. Present in this offering is that lyrical and musical style that has brought Williams many awards and accolades over the past two decades. There is that sultry voice of hers, that can at once be filled with joy and in the next instant practically weep with sadness, always projecting passion and lulling the listener under her spell. In other words, there is no doubt that this is a Lucinda Williams project, and it leaves the listener assured that there will be many more projects to come from this artist in the years that lie ahead. If you are obsessing for more info on Lucinda Williams, or
are dying to possess her latest CD, then shoot on over to www.lucindawilliams.com
where you can get your Lucinda fix. If you are planning to
get out to the State Fair of Texas this September, be sure to
look for Lucinda there. She is scheduled to play the fair on
September 28.
You can contact Scott Snidow at: scott-at-rockzilla.net |
If the measure of a songwriter is their ability to convey
their feelings in their music, then my hat is off to Lucinda
Williams. Her latest release, Essence, is certainly telling
of a much more sedate mood than any of her previous releases.
There is something dark and brooding about it, as though someone
has taken her heart and her faith and crumpled them like so many
paper beer cups at the end of a mid-July concert.
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