Christy McWilson

The state of “no depression” music may be less than stellar these days—Wilco’s gone pop; Ryan Adams went to the Grammys. But Christy McWilson brings a barroom snarl and silken explorations of inner demons to her second outing. The former lead singer from Seattle’s country-rockin’ Picketts has Dave Alvin, Peter Buck, Rick Shea and Greg Leisz in her lineup. Buck brings a Revolver-esque feedback to the charging “Life’s Little Enormities,” and on “Lila Jean” we’re back in the bar with Alvin’s Telecaster and someone’s jew’s-harp. Lyrically McWilson explores her own depression on her own “Serpentine” and “Sheep Song,” both of which ride on her silky vocals and eloquent, nature-driven images. Her soft voice purrs comfortably against Alvin’s deep growl on “805” and soars best on the Youngbloods classic “Darkness, Darkness,” pushed by a stinging Alvin solo that recalls his Blaster days.