Look Long, the title of
Indigo Girls' 15th album, appears to be an imperative to their audience and a creative challenge to themselves -- an attempt to look beyond the internal and familiar. Reuniting with producer
John Reynolds, who previously produced the duo's 1999 LP
Come On Now Social,
Indigo Girls composed a set of empathetic tunes, drawing upon past history, casual observations, and personal experience. The general subjects may not be unexpected, but the execution can be. Take for instance "Shit Kickin'," where
Amy Ray and
Emily Saliers turn their memories of growing up into a vivid, sensitive portrait of a Southern small town. These stories are set to a surprisingly funky and elastic rhythm, and "Shit Kickin'" isn't the only jolt of color or stylistic experimentation here. "Change My Heart" marries a tough, garagey guitar riff to a swinging beat and sawing strings, and "Favorite Flavor" is so effervescent, it nearly feels like avant-bubblegum. These are the highlights on an album that otherwise is rooted in the duo's signature folk, a sound that sounds comforting without being cozy. Within these strummed tales are warm, empathetic character sketches and stories, songs that help emphasize the continuum within the music of
Indigo Girls, but the album's heart lies within the musical departures, as those are the places where the duo are taking a long look outside of themselves. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine