Album Review: Natalie Merchant - Natalie Merchant

Thirteen years of exploring folk music, poetry and philanthropy since her last album of self-penned songs have stoked the fires of protest activity for the former 10,000 Maniac. Swaddled in gorgeous string sections, her full-creamed voice resonates as strongly as ever on Ladybird and Go Down Moses as if she's singing in a rustic kitchen a million miles from the distractions of an incessant television set. Still reliably inclined to tell melancholic stories in a folky style, there's also much lyrical warmth to be found making Natalie Merchant a deeply personal but completely absorbing songbook.