CD Reviews

Lori McKenna

Unglamorous | Warner Bros.

By WERNER TRIESCHMANN | November 6, 2007

3.0 Stars

Mother of five and songwriter for Faith Hill and Sara Evans, Stoughton’s Lori McKenna had her major-label debut co-produced by Hill’s husband, country superstar Tim McGraw. The songs are McKenna’s, and they’re filled with the kinds of domestic details — the joys and the pains — that remain country music’s strong suit. The title cut is the best of the lot, an anthem about the beautiful chaos of family life where wine is sipped from a jelly jar and “peanut butter is everywhere.” Anyone who’s married will be able to identify with “Witness to Your Life.” The idea behind “Drinking Problem,” which is about the being married to an alcoholic, isn’t as sharp as it could be, and some of the arena-ready country-pop arrangements drown out McKenna’s coffeehouse voice. Still, it’s wonderful to hear Nashville muscle behind a singer and songwriter who’s the opposite of a diva.

Lori McKenna| Club Passim, 47 Palmer St, Cambridge | December 19-22 | 617.492.7679

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