Dave Rawlings Machine: Nashville Obsolete | Album Review

Those eagerly awaiting a new Gillian Welch album need to adjust expectations.

Welch and partner guitarist extraordinaire Dave Rawlings have transformed the above monicker with Rawlings singing lead.

This is DRM's second issue following 2009's A Friend Of A Friend and it heralds more change.

"In addition to the kind of 1930s/Depression/ Dust Bowl thing we've always had going on, there's a pretty strong 1970s thing going on, too," Welch told the Wall Street Journal.

Again Neil Young is a key reference, as is Dylan and The Band. There are seven tracks, all with their own strengths, but The Trip, Short-Haired Woman Blues, The Last Pharaoh and Pilgrim (You Can't Go Home) are exceptional.

Welch co-writes and sings harmony and though Rawlings’ voice is hugely expressive, she is missed.