Emily Barker & The Red Clay Trio, Dear River (Linn River)
Every so often an artist makes such a leap forward that it plain takes your breath. Barker has hitherto been the purveyor of pleasant, but anonymous roots music.
This ex-pat looked to her Western Australia home and family for Dear River, a triumph in song writing and musicianship.
Vocally, Barker has never sounded better, and the Red Clay Trio create a real sense of drama and pathos with bold, vivid stylings sweeping away the former vanilla pastiches.
Best rock album: Mikal Cronin, MCII (Merge).
Best comeback: Josh Rouse, The Happiness Waltz (Yep Roc).
Innovator of 2013: Sam Amidon, Bright Sunny South (Nonesuch).
Most Promising Debut : Union Jill, Respectable Rebellion (Union Jill Music).
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