Catherine Irwin, half of popular "insurgent country" outfit Freakwater, continues that band's tales of love, death, and addiction on her first solo release, one of 2002's elite albums. The Appalachian, old-timey ache in he... more »r creaky voice combines powerfully with the sweetness and honesty imparted by her affecting timbre on this twisted, country-dada album--simultaneously historical, modern, and timeless. Irwin can sound otherworldly, like the Lord's minion or a ghost ("Hex"); like a vulnerable child or prodigal daughter ("The Only Hell My Momma Ever Raised"); a sexy siren or broken-hearted woman ("Swan Dive"). She's also a gifted lyricist. "Cry Our Little Eyes Out" has fancy-fine acoustic guitar tweedles and twists accompanied by arresting lyrics: "All those who weep bitter tears / And pray to God to calm their fears / Falling down from a clear blue sky / Angels bear their wings to dry your eyes." These 12 songs (including five covers by Elvis Presley, the Carter Family, Roger Miller, Pee Wee King, and Johnny Paycheck), are mesmerizing. --Jillian Steinberger« less
Catherine Irwin, half of popular "insurgent country" outfit Freakwater, continues that band's tales of love, death, and addiction on her first solo release, one of 2002's elite albums. The Appalachian, old-timey ache in her creaky voice combines powerfully with the sweetness and honesty imparted by her affecting timbre on this twisted, country-dada album--simultaneously historical, modern, and timeless. Irwin can sound otherworldly, like the Lord's minion or a ghost ("Hex"); like a vulnerable child or prodigal daughter ("The Only Hell My Momma Ever Raised"); a sexy siren or broken-hearted woman ("Swan Dive"). She's also a gifted lyricist. "Cry Our Little Eyes Out" has fancy-fine acoustic guitar tweedles and twists accompanied by arresting lyrics: "All those who weep bitter tears / And pray to God to calm their fears / Falling down from a clear blue sky / Angels bear their wings to dry your eyes." These 12 songs (including five covers by Elvis Presley, the Carter Family, Roger Miller, Pee Wee King, and Johnny Paycheck), are mesmerizing. --Jillian Steinberger
CD Reviews
Intelligent and Heartfelt
10/10/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm inclined to use a word like "masterpiece" for "Cut Yourself A Switch", but that's a little grandiose for such an understated, straight-forward recording. There's really nothing else out there anything like this. Irwin, best known as a member of Freakwater, has distilled her folk/hillbilly sensibility even further here, and the quality of her songwriting has, if possible, improved. The music is acoustic, mostly guitar, bass, and fiddle - but not in a bluegrass or "contemporary folk" style. This sounds as if Maybelle Carter had been reborn in Louisville, Kentucky at the turn of the last century. I really can't recommend this one highly enough. Humor and heartbreak, life and death. You'd think that fans of Lucinda Williams or Hazel Dickens or even the "O Brother" crew would want to get a hold of this. Fans of Dylan's acoustic records should also be aware. Smart, funny, and sometimes very sad."
Gloomy but engaging
Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 10/23/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"A stripped-down solo effort by one of Freakwater's leading lights. As with that pioneering twangcore band's more clattersome albums, this is rough-edged and uneasy musicmaking; Irwin's mournful, mid-tempo approach doesn't vary much, and it doesn't invite the listener to take this is as simple entertainment... Irwin conjures the bleakness of old Jimmie Rodgers tunes, as well as the sincerity and humanity of the Carter Family (particularly on her version of their "Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone..." Despite the lack of singalong accessibility, this disc stands out as intelligent and well-informed countrifying, a dreary downer of an album, to be sure, but still more interesting than most. If you like Freakwater, then you oughtta check this out as well."
Totally amazing
Terry Durst | Cleveland, Ohio | 06/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Catherine Irwin is the best thing going in music today and this album proves it. She's intelligent, compelling and mesmerizing. I've been buying records for over 40 years and this is one of the best I've heard. If the house were on fire, this is the one CD I would try to rescue. I don't believe I've ever heard such an honest record from anyone. It's as engaging on a visceral level as it is on an intellectual one. She deals with each syllable, much like George Jones, with a beautiful and intense subtlety filled with nuance. My taste is pretty eclectic, I suppose, ranging from Ellington to King Missile III and a lot inbetween - but this is just magnificent, and although objectively it probably should be called "country", several of these songs - "Will You Miss Me" especially - rock as hard as anything I've heard. It's the emotion and the way the focus is on the song, rather than the style of the singer - although Ms. Irwin has an unmistakable personal style both vocally and on the guitar. And masterpieces are often masterpieces simply because they are direct and to the point. Picasso's "Guernica", arguably the greatest anti-war statement ever made in art, has what, 9 figures I believe? Simplicity opens doors, and creates complexity. Just buy this CD. Buy it now. Don't even wait on the mail. Get in your car or whatever and get to wherever and buy this masterpiece."
Wonderful music
August Lamczyk | Springfield, IL | 02/03/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been a fan of this solo CD from the first time I listened to it. I believe Irwin is one of the best song writers at this current time. Her songs are so touching and sad that they make you smile. If you have not listened to this work or her efforts with her band Freakwater do yourself a favor and splurge now. Do it! Buy them all and you will be in better contact with the inner workings of your soul... guaranteed."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1