All That We Let In

With ALL THAT WE LET IN, the Indigo Girls succeed at melding the earthier, folk-based sound of their earlier outings with a more rocking approach. Of course, Emily Saliers and Amy Ray's leftist sentiments are firmly in the mix, with Saliers using the state of the environment as a relationship metaphor in the snappy "Fill It Up Again" and Ray striking a balance between global citizenship and being a good partner in the harmony-laden "Perfect World."
On this outing, successful attempts at cavorting in different musical styles make for the best moments. The double-time, Wurlitzer-fueled ska of the infectious "Heartache for Everyone" would make Ray faves the Clash smile, and "Dairy Queen" with its penny whistle-soaked Celtic vibe makes for quite an up-tempo breakup song. Longtime friend Joan Osborne makes her first appearance on an Indigo Girls album since 1999's COME ON NOW SOCIAL and, of the three songs she appears on here, "Tether" is the most moving. Amid a soaring organ line and a swirling torrent of guitars that brings to mind Derek & the Dominos, Osborne's heartfelt phrasing makes a powerful impression alongside Saliers and Ray's equally compelling vocals.