Ferron - 'Boulder'

On her latest album, singer-songwriter Ferron is joined by some of modern music's greatest female contributors: Indigo Girls, Ani DiFranco, Bitch, Samantha Parton, and JD Samson. Produced by Bitch, the album alternates between straight-up singer-songwriter tunes and more experimental story-songs.

Boulder kicks off with an attention-getter of a tune called "In the Meantime" (purchase/download) which comes across like a celebratory ladyfest, with various of the album's collaborators caterwauling in the background, and driven early by a haunting piano and snapping track. It's more than likely not the way you'd imagine a record by Ferron opening up, but that's fine contribution of producer Bitch (Bitch and the Exciting Conclusion, Bitch & Animal).

From there, it moves on to a similarly themed poem and a lovely life story composition that keeps it simple with voice and guitar. "Highway" (purchase/download)—written by Bitch—is one of the album's finest moments, combining Ferron's exquisite poetic delivery, trotting fingerpicking guitar, and Bitch's haunting, moaning violin.

One last whisp of want before night
and the streets are bare and everyone's tuned to the glare
everyone's tuned to the glare
it's just me and the street and the wind in the air
and the highway I'm on...shimmering.

Perhaps Bitch's strongest contribution, however, is in the strong building of string looping halfway through "The Cart" (purchase/download). Here, the strings fulfill their entire purpose—as both melody and accompaniment, adding both depth and percussion.

Ferron has long been lauded as one of the most eloquent singer/sognwriters, and her influence has been felt far and wide. Boulder is a fitting addition to her extraordinary catalogue. Although these are clearly Ferron's songs, and the album is clearly driven by her innate gifts, it comes off as more of a community effort. The talents and skills of these seven women are combined wholly to build upon Ferron's already strong songwriting foundation.

"Our Purpose Here" (purchase/download) is a lovely, sad song about the trials of holding together a relationship through life on the road. Featuring backup harmonies by none other than the Indigo Girls, the song is beautifully arranged to break your heart all over again.

"Already Gone" (purchase/download) is one of the heart-breakingest tunes on the disc, singing an ode to the kind of relationship that ends when love just isn't enough. "Is it me that you're running from?" she sings, "Or did our love shine a little more than you were counting on?"

Overall, Boulder is a pretty heartbreaking record, but in the best possible way. The addition of her six gifted collaborators adds impressive dimension to her already moving compositions.