Gillian Welch: Time (The Revelator) : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

Gillian Welch's first two albums, Revival (1996) and Hell Among the Yearlings (1998), were compressed musical metaphors of mountain-girl innocence and rural longing, and ranked with the best American roots albums of the Nineties. Her third album - which follows the triumph of her contributions to the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack - has more gorgeous reinventions of Appalachian sounds, old Anglo influences and haunting themes of remorse and redemption. Each of the ten tracks on Time (The Revelator) is silhouetted by a smoky melancholia that allows no false light to shine through. Welch's voice is slow and forgiving, like molasses poured from a Mason jar. Standout numbers such as "My First Lover," "Red Clay Halo" and "Dear Someone" are all homespun warmth, but there is one very unlikely number on Time: Welch and partner-producer David Rawlings rip it up on "I Want to Sing That Rock and Roll," which was recorded live at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Welch also documents the King's reckless abandon on "Elvis Presley Blues," proving that even a country balladeer can fantasize about running wild.

ROBERT SANTELLI
(RS 875 - August 16, 2001)