A lot has happened in the career of Katie Crutchfield in the past five years, the girl who is performing under the name Waxahatchee (she got the inspiration for her pseudonym from the river running through her hometown in Alabama). After debut American Weekend came magnificent records Cerulean Saltand Ivy Tripp, all in DIY production. Ivy Tripp even ended up being placed in top 10 on most of the year-end charts by relevant music magazines.
On her fourth studio album titled Out In The Storm, Waxahatchee steps out as a full blooded band, recording in the real studio in Philadelphia with experienced producer John Angel who is responsible for great materials from Sonic Youth, Kurt Vile, Dinosaur Jr. and others. The final result - strong competitor for the indie rock record of the year, at least when it comes to the opinion of the author of this review (I will wait for The National and Iron & The Wine to make the final decision).
Out In The Storm offers us nothing less than high quality, effective and powerful songs with flawless arrangements and controlled melodic noise. The formula is supported by killer guitar riffs, skillfully packed instruments and Katie's seductive vocal that takes us up and down, up and down. The singer is dealing with her ex love on this record, but not in the pathetic and crying fashion. It's more of a It's not me, it's you record. The album onsets with explosive Never Been Right, the number that falls somewhere in between Best Coast and The Breeders. Silver is another track that celebrates alternative rock of the 90s. Sparks Fly and A Little More bring the tempo down through sophisticated sounds of acoustic guitar. Recite Remorse is another slow elegy with organ in the introduction and dreamy guitars in the second part. Brass Beam is another rock escapade, probably with the most introspective lyrics on the album. Two closing tracks represent some sort of 'best of' of the young 28 year old author, summarizing her whole discography. No Question is a classic rock tune that we had a chance to hear on Cerulean Salt, while the final track Fade is a candid, heartbreaking folk ballade made in the times of Ivy Tripp sessions.
Altogether, Out In The Storm is her best album yet. If you are into Sharon Van Etten, The Breeders, Cat Power or Liz Phair, this is the right record for you.
