Amanda Shires- Take It Like A Man
Label: ATO
Producer: Lawrence Rothman
It takes but one crashing lick from the threatening, garage-inspired guitar solo that sets in motion “Hawk for the Dove”, and Amanda Shires’ seventh LP as a whole, to realize that Take It Like A Man will be unlike any other experience in Shires’ preceding catalog. As one of Americana’s undeniable queens, her sweet and angelic mountain voice and exquisite instrumental talent has earned her well-deserved comparisons to icons like Dolly Parton and Alison Krauss. But throughout this latest outing, we’re treated to the deliciously more devilish side of those pipes, as Shires continues to push her roots-based blend of country and folk down a darker, more rock-oriented avenue. With new producer Lawrence Rothman at the helm, and husband Jason Isbell (a blurrer of the country-rock lines himself) always nearby on guitar, it’s no surprise that Shires handles these adventurous stylistic travels remarkably. But make no mistake, Shires is her own creative compass and authority. That sentiment is ferociously underscored by the fierce POVs found throughout tracks like the title cut, the slithering rock-romp “Here He Comes”, and “Bad Behavior”, a sly and unsympathetic gaslighting of a male suitor. Her lyrics and vocal nuances may bite more bitterly than they ever have before, but they’re also still as capable of wrenching your heart to pieces as well. This is beautifully evidenced by stunners like “Empty Cups”, “Fault Lines”, and the one-two punch of the bold neo-soul numbers, “Stupid Love” and “Lonely At Night”. Throughout all the heartbreak, betrayal, and missteps that Shires encounters in these little life portraits, her independent spirit and feminine agency remains unflappable, and that’s never more evident than on the roaring, near New-Wave fever of “My Galaxy”. It’s the exclamation point on an album that serves as a powerful declaration that Amanda Shires has officially taken form as the unpredictably fierce and fearless artist that she has always been destined to become. Take It Like A Man not only serves as her best and most awe-inspiring album to date, but it undoubtedly feels like the turning of a page into a promising new chapter with limitless possibilities.
Track Listing:
- “Hawk for the Dove” (Amanda Shires, Lawrence Rothman)
- “Take It Like A Man” (Shires, Rothman)
- “Empty Cups” (Shires)
- “Don’t Be Alarmed” (Shires, Jason Isbell, Ruston Kelly, Liz Rose)
- “Fault Lines” (Shires)
- “Here He Comes” (Shires, Rothman, Yves Rothman)
- “Bad Behavior” (Shires, Rothman)
- “Stupid Love” (Shires, Peter Levin)
- “Lonely At Night” (Shires, Levin)
- “Everything Has Its Time” (Shires, Natalie Hemby)
The 706 
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