Composer: Jolie Holland.

Lyricist: Jolie Holland.

Personnel: Jolie Holland (vocals); Shahzad Ismaily (guitars, bass guitar, percussion); Garth Steel Klippert (trumpet); Colin Stetson (cornet); Rachel Blumberg (drums); M. Ward.

Additional personnel: Marc Ribot (guitar); Marika Hughes (cello); Kenny Wolleson (drums); Marc Alan Johnson.

After Jolie Holland left the Canadian alt-folk trio the Be Good Tanyas, she moved into an idiosyncratic form of modern country blues. On her fourth album, THE LIVING AND THE DEAD, Holland approaches a more traditional kind of roots rock, with echoes of Lucinda Williams, Elvis Costello, and Tom Waits. Holland's smoky, bluesy voice has rarely sounded better than in these sympathetic twang-rock settings, whether on catchy pop-rockers like the opening "Mexico City" or the stark, near-solo ballad "You Painted Yourself In." Guests include Matt Ward (She and Him) and the inimitable guitarist Marc Ribot.

Rolling Stone (p.131) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[An] apocalyptic feeling pervades this sepia-toned album, boosted by M. Ward's scraggly hooks....Her honeyed harmonies keep the mood from getting too gloomy."

Spin (p.93) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he shabby rockers and frayed ballads cut deep, especially 'Corrido por Buddy'..."

Blender (Magazine) (p.74) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "Holland's fourth album -- far and away her strongest -- is flawlessly executed and fearlessly told."

Paste (magazine) (p.65) - "[S]he sounds more commanding and confident than ever on 'Mexico City' and 'Your Big Hands'....Holland half sings/ half laughs the closing cover of Guy Lombardo hit 'Enjoy Yourself,' sounding like she's truly taken that advice to heart."