Rhiannon Giddens
Factory Girl
Reviewed by: Bryan Culver
Rhiannon Giddens EP Factory Girl is an exemplification for which the multi-instrumentalist musicologist has earned her renown: a rediscovering of carefully curated long-forgotten yet potent pop tunes uncovered from Americas’ songbook and reinterpreted for a contemporary audience. Giddens’ takes an academic approach to music the same an antique collector would to a porcelain vase, or a paleontologist would to a fossil. Each intricate detail examined, contextualized, cataloged, and then revived.
Factory Girl is comprised of material leftover from this year’s Tomorrow Is My Turn sessions, for which she earned considerable acclaim from a wide array of publications. Prior to these two releases Giddens earned praise performing alongside Carolina Chocolate Drops.
The most pungent weapon in Giddens’ arsenal is her operatic croon. Giddens’ vocal-control is testament to her classical background; her alma mater being the prestigious Overland Conservatory. The arrangements are tight–performed by an equally talented crew of session musicians led by legendary country producer T Bone Burnett. Each lick is methodically executed, immaculate. The record is produced sublimely: You can hear the dry plunk of taught acoustic strings, the vibration of the wood, and the immersive depth of stand-up bass resonating in the studio.
Roots music is as much love as it is a study and appreciation of history and lineage. We watch biographies and period pieces to relive a specific piece of time. In much the same way each of these songs allows Giddens to precariously immerse herself in a musical context. “That Lonesome Road” and “Underneath the Harlem Moon” are written by Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Ethel Water respectfully, two of Giddens most admired idols. “Mouth Music” is, as is implied by the title, a selection of traditional Gaelic mouth music—this tune showcases Giddens absolute technical mastery. “Moonshiner’s Daughter” is a collaborative written by the legendary country producer and Giddons throws a radio-friendly crossover stomper into the mix: “I’m a moonshiner’s daughter / and I’ll fight yah’ if you wanna.” This album is perfect for a music academic–but all you have to do to enjoy Giddens music is close your eyes and intently listen to her melodious stories.
Rating: Bad-Ass
