Margo Price – All American Made (Third Man Records, 2017)
Country singer-songwriter Margo Price has returned with a valiant second album, All American Made. The instrumentation is tight, featuring crisp guitar and classic fiddle. Yet the album never tries to get experimental or inventive with the country template, which was a bit disappointing. However, the lyrics are progressive and descriptive. In “Pay Gap,” Price sings about institutional sexism and the gender wage gap. Country music does an impeccable job with direct and descriptive lyrics; Price dives straight into the issues, holding nothing back. On the title track, she paints a bleak image of America. Price seems to have genuine concern in her voice. The image of driving through America, seeing the rust and decay of the small towns, resonated with me to a surprising degree.
Sample track: “All American Made”
Rating: 8.2/10