Newly discovered cow punk diva Lydia Loveless is taking no prisoners on her first release Indestructible Machine on Bloodshot records. The nine song set is equal parts twang and grunge: the opening track “Bad Way To Go,” sets up a template that features fiery banjo picking alongside heavy guitar wail, over a pounding two step rhythm section. When Loveless spits out the line “you can write me a love letter in the gravel with your piss,” in a classic country drawl delivered as Kitty Wells’ power punk granddaughter, you know she means business. The album continues with rugged and witty tales of self-empowerment, heartache, heroes and villains, with stand out tracks being the defiant “Can’t Change Me,” and the tongue in cheek yarn, “Steve Earle.”
Indestructible Machine frames the portrait of a steadfast young woman ready to shake off her demons and take on the world. Mainstream country needs to embrace artists such as Loveless who are delivering a dose of reality to a scene dominated by Idol starlets and dime store cowboys.
Rick J Bowen
originally appeared in Innocent Words Sept 2011
