Lydia Loveless
Boy Crazy And Single(s)
Bloodshot Records
After her incredible 2016 album Real, it’s probably too soon to wish for another full-length from the reigning queen of country-punk Lydia Loveless, so thankfully Bloodshot has brought together an EP and a few singles to tide us over. Starting off with the Boy Crazy EP from 2014 and the cut “All I Know”, this is the whip-smart, sassy woman we fell in love with in 2011 on her debut Indestructible Machine. Loveless’ defiant vocals, matched with the power-pop guitar of Todd May and the aching pedal steel of Jay Gasper reminds you a bit of those great Carlene Carter records with Rockpile back in the day – what’s not to love?
And like Carter, Loveless is nothing if not frank, such as on “Mile High” – “I was thinking of things I do if I had the time/Till my fingers smelled of pussy and Lucky Strikes” – probably not her Grand Ole Opry audition song, that. But that’s just Loveless. The rest of the CD contains some bitchin’ covers such as “Blind” by Kesha, a heartbreaking “Alison” from Elvis Costello, and a mind-warping “I Would Die 4 U” from Prince…yeah, it’s rad.
Lydia Loveless is one of the bright lights of this female-dominated branch of modern country, and along with Margo Price and Sarah Shook, they prove that a having a Y chromosome ain’t necessary, when you got the voice and the attitude. And honey, Lydia Loveless has got some ‘tude. Testify.
