With her 2010 release, Crows, neo-traditionalist Allison Moorer has created her most personal, and easily her greatest album of her decade and a half career. Her powerful voice was never in doubt, but Crows establishes her as one of the top songwriters in Alt Country.
Bio of Allison Moorer
Allison Moorer’s childhood is a tragic one, and one that would later influence her songwriting, especially on Crows.
According to Allmusicguide.com, Moorer was born in 1972 in Alabama, the daughter of a local band leader father and music teacher mother. As a child, Allison and her older sister Shelby, (who later became known as country singer Shelby Lynne) would sometimes sing harmonies on stage with their parents.
Allison’s father was a violent alcoholic, and in 1986 shot Allison’s mother to death and then killed himself, all while Allison and Shelby looked on.
After attending the University of Southern Alabama, Moorer followed in her older sister’s footsteps and moved to Nashville to start a music career. She married songwriter Butch Primm, and soon had a big break when one of her songs, “A Soft Place to Fall,” appeared on the soundtrack to the movie The Horse Whisperer. She released her debut album, Alabama Song, in 1998.
In 2005, Moorer divorced Primm and married Alt Country legend Steve Earle. Since then, perhaps influenced by Earle, her songwriting has taken a decidedly rawer, more personal feel. The couple is expecting their first child, a boy, this month. Crows was recorded during Allison’s pregnancy.
Personal, Gritty Lyrics on Crows Hint at Personal Tragedy, Redemption
On Crows, Moorer finds a way to paint a sonic picture that is at once heart breaking, uplifting, and terrifying. Much of Crows is colored by the murder-suicide of her parents, though not explicitly. Rather it is danced around and alluded to it gently until the listener realizes that he has been drawn into a living nightmare.
Moorer herself told Theboot.com that this was a darker album, but she issues a caveat. “It's not 'woe is me,' which is something that I find one has to get over. It's about fighting for happiness.” There is certainly something uplifting about this album, especially in the final song, which is the title track. The feeling is that despite the great tragedies in her life, there is still so much beauty and many reasons to be happy. An ominous image such as a crow is turned into a positive one.
The Songs on Crows Worth Buying or Burning
Crows is an album worth buying as a whole, but those who are financially strapped, there are a few songs that are must haves.
Abalone Sky-- Probably the best song on Crows, Abalone Sky presents the haunting image of a person on their knees, praying for salvation, only to realize that none will come.
Just Another Fool--There’s a “Spanish Tinge” (as Jelly Roll Morton used to say) to this song that is unique on the album and a nice change of pace. Lyrically, it feels like the other side of the coin to the Steve Earle-written hit “Sometimes She Forgets.”
The Broken Girl--Another song that feels Earle-influenced, Moorer put melancholy lyrics up against an upbeat music track. A song that begs for radio play.
Easy In The Summertime--A beautiful song describing an idyllic childhood summer. Only something this beautiful can be this terrifying. You can almost hear the gunshots in your mind.
Crows--This song ties the album all together--the fear, the sorrow, and finally the acceptance.
Allison Moorer on Tour?
As Moorer is about to give birth, fans should not expect to see her on tour anytime soon. Moorer told Theboot.com that she is planning to take some time off to bond with the newborn. Hopefully while on the break, she will start writing a new album. Since Crows is her best work so far, the author can hardly wait to see what she has next.
Grade For Crows: A-
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