reviewer: David Spencer
Email this album review Printable version To say that it has been an extraordinary last year or so in the life of Gretchen Peters would be an understatement. The Grammy nominated singer from Nashville has seen floods and the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster affect her home or hometown, while in her personal life there as been the loss of a friend through suicide and the revelation from her child that he is transgender (something she describes as ?inspiring?). There has been some light to the shade, with her marriage to long-time partner Barry Walsh. Inevitably therefore, this is quite a dark album (as Peters herself describes) with Dark Angel?s talk of ?no heaven?no hell? summing up a general mood of defiance. It seems that Peters feels that the last few years have tested her, and for a reason she has survived and for that reason life is for living to the full.
While the mood might be different, musically Hello Cruel World is as expected. Accomplished country tinged acoustic guitar and piano dominate, with the odd delightfully mournful trumpet (Camille). The title track, now listed on Radio 2, is probably as ?catchy? as it gets and the message within underlines the album?s mood; ?Me I?m gonna stick around, in for a penny in for a pound, ?cause I hate to miss the show.?
Hello Cruel World?s reference to suicide is just one place where Peters? recent experiences can be found along with Natural Disaster?s juxtaposition of a broken heart with hurricanes and earthquakes, while the unsettling Idlewild (complete with lush strings) is a story taken from her childhood. Peters? voice is superbly backed by the outstanding Kim Richey on several tracks and the musicianship is of course top notch.
Ultimately, considering the background to this release, the album is not as dark as we are warned. The Dark Angel duet with Rodney Crowell is typical; despite references to a ?beautiful disaster?, in the end there is a uplifting spirit that permeates. And rather than feeling cold and despairing, come the last track (Little World) you are instead feeling warm and hopeful.
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