Laura Veirs sings in a precise, clear voice that often ascends to ethereal heights in a song's chorus.
That clarity is a perfect analog for the themes of The Lookout, an album about seeking solace in troubled times.
Over her 10 solo albums, Veirs has been a subtle and varied songwriter, but The Lookout is sharply focused: unlike her character-driven contributions to 2016's case / lang / veirs, her collaboration with kd lang and Neko Case, these songs are ruminative affirmations.
On the title track, she finds hope in a loved one: "But man alive, I'm glad that I have you. / You, my lookout on the ground, / making music."
Veirs's husband, Tucker Martine, produced the album, and though it often focuses on Veirs' guitar-picking, it's a richly textured set.
- Steve Klinge/TCA
