Patti Scialfa-- Play it as it Lays

Patti Scialfa is often overlooked due to her very famous husband, but it's hard to ignore the fact that, with Play it as it Lays, Mrs. Springsteen has crafted an album that's superior to almost anything The Boss has done in two decades. Indeed, while Bruce's upcoming E-Street Band reunion record, Magic-- on which Patti sings and plays-- treads such familiar ground as to feel almost like a parody of a Springsteen record, Play it as it Lays is an enthralling album that simmers with energy and grit, vision and authenticity.

There's no E-Street polish here; Patti and her band (which does indeed include her husband and some E-Streeters) stir up all kinds of trouble with a muddy mix of blues, rock, and soul. The songwriting is firmly grounded in the traditions of country and blues, but Scialfa proves to be a smart, literate lyricist, giving these songs plenty of character and edginess. Her voice strikes that perfect blend of clarity and rasp that makes these songs feel genuine, and her band finds a comfortable groove that makes it all feel lived in.

There are numerous highlights, but it bears special mention that, even after Over the Rhine gave us eleven sultry, sensual torch songs, the award for Sexiest Song of 2007 still goes to a playful little wink of a song called "Play Around." But each of these songs has ample heart and personality to rise above the cliches often associated with albums like these; Play it as it Lays is tough, romantic, smart, and completely bracing.