Wakin' Up BY Lucinda Williams: Good Souls Better Angels 2020

Lucinda Williams: Good Souls Better Angels 2020 Trying to pin down the career of Lucinda Williams has never been an easy task. Credited as one of the progenitors of Americana with 1988’s classic self-titled album, she began her career being compared to Bob Dylan and Townes Van Zandt, but her association with the Rough Trade label always hinted at the punkish spirit behind her music. Now, at 67, Williams has gone back to those roots and then some with an album that is full of startlingly raw blues-punk and drips with strong liquor, bad men and even worse politicians. Lyrically songs cut straight to the core with frank and honest commentary on domestic abuse (Wakin ’Up) and the dangerous, quick to judge and convict aspects of social media (Shadows & Doubts). Musically it's hard not to think of the early White Stripes at that time Detroit seemed full of righteous punk, with opener You Can't Rule Me seeing Williams growl her way through her powerful statement of intent as her band rumble and grind beneath her with all the subtlety of a broken down pick up truck.