Album Review: Patty Griffin - American Kid

This is the first new collection of (almost) entirely Patty Griffin penned music in well over six years; for an artist with the songwriting credits of this Americana gun, that's a fair bit of waiting time. Her last record, 2010's Downtown Church was – pun not intended – a revelation; Griffin tussled with issues pertaining to Christianity with such class that you'd wish it wasn't so taboo to recommend a Christian album.

American Kid, a record made in dedication to Griffin's late father, swiftly casts aside any ideas of her losing touch as a writer. It was his death that made Griffin shy away from putting herself out there for so long, so it's fitting her father is the centrepiece of her return. The raucous Don't Let Me Die In Florida lives up to its great title, Irish Boy and Get Ready Marie bring a strong Celtic influence to the fore, while the dark Ohio has a warmth to it as Zeppelin's Robert Plant solidifies Griffin's vocal with an odd but effective harmony.

It's the exceedingly melancholic moments that work best though; Not A Bad Man is the album's highlight as Griffin belts it out with fiery passion, Wild Old Dog goes back to Griffin's relationship with religion and Lefty Frizell's Mom and Dad's Waltz, while not a particularly sad song, somehow makes the listener feel the loss that Griffin is dealing with. One imagines this was a cathartic record for Griffin and here's hoping it finds the audience who won't just appreciate it, but truly utilise its emotional gravitas.