27-year-old Nashville based Americana songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rachel Baiman’s album Shame is a politically motivated album that empowers listeners to advocate for themselves and others over themes of faith, love, sex, and abuse. Shame was produced by Baiman and Andrew Marlin (Mandolin Orange), whose collaboration created a richly textured yet gentle country/folk album that recalls Gillian Welch. Album standouts include: the album’s title-track; “Let Them Go to Heaven” which was inspired by an Ishmael Reed poem called “When I Die I Will Go to Jazz”; the rolling, lighthearted ramble “Getting Ready to Start (Getting Ready)”; the wistful relationship reflection “Thinkin’ On You”; the fiddle waltz “In the Space of a Day”; the bluesy “I Could’ve Been Your Lover Too”; the haunting acoustic track “Wicked Spell”; and the lyrically poignant “Take A Stand.” Honestly, there is not a bad track or wrong steer on Shame, which strongly showcases the talents of a polished young talent. If you’re new to Rachel Baiman, give Shame a listen – you will not be disappointed! – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Kathleen Edwards, Sarah Jarosz, Joan Shelley, The Secret Sisters, Gillian Welch