Brandy Clark: Best CD Of 2013?
New York mag chooses “12 Stories” as its Album Of the Year: ‘There’s not a false move or bum note on the fabulous debut album by 38-year-old country singer-songwriter Brandy Clark. [Take a listen.] Every tune, every lyric—every pedal-steel line and snare-drum crack and harmony vocal—is slotted precisely in place. The music takes in ballad weepers, chugging honky-tonk, and burly roots rock; the production honors tradition but is crisp and up-to-date, with no trace of retro fustiness. Clark has obviously spent time listening to George Jones and Dolly Parton and knows that great singing is great acting—she knows how to phrase, how to subtly shade her line readings for optimal oomph. Formally speaking, 12 Stories is about as impeccable as country-record-making gets.’
