Allison Moorer
Getting Somewhere

(Sugar Hill)

First Appeared in The Music Box, August 2006, Volume 13, #8

Written by Tracy M. Rogers

The Duel, Allison Moorer’s 2004 debut for Sugar Hill Records, was a heavy, black, rain cloud full of tales of death, personal struggle, and political strife. Two years later, her second Sugar Hill release Getting Somewhere is blue skies to The Duel’s cloudburst. In many ways, Moorer still is concerned with conflict, but the overall tenor of the record is much more positive and upbeat. Songs, such as the opening Work to Do, the country-rocker You’ll Never Know, and the pseudo-mainstream Fairweather, all incorporate catchy pop hooks, rock guitars, and happy lyrics. New Year’s Day and How She Does It are the only songs on the outing that harken back to the familial struggles that have cast a pall over her previous work, while Where You Are and If It’s Just for Today are rather straightforward love songs — a first for Moorer — that were written for sister Shelby Lynne and husband Steve Earle, respectively. The closing title track is, perhaps, Getting Somewhere’s darkest moment. Draped with thick guitars and boasting an ominous melody, it explores the existential angst inherent in a post-9/11 world. In the end, however, with its marriage of ’60s pop hooks, power chords, and extremely personal and hopeful lyrics, Getting Somewhere stands as Moorer’s most melodic album to date. ½

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Ratings

1 Star:   Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!

Copyright © 2006 The Music Box