Laurie Anderson

Add Date: June 29

Artist: Laurie Anderson

Album: Homeland

Label: Nonesuch

Genre: Defies classification

Comments: The onesheet says: "Calling Laurie Anderson 'the most important multimedia artist of our time,' The Los Angeles Times recently noted the 'rare, profound maturity' of her latest songs. Thirty years into her recording career--in which she has simultaneously remained busy as a visual artist, composer, poet, photographer, filmmaker and internationally touring live performer--she has applied her craft to a new studio album, her first in 10 years. The collection of songs is at once personal and political, equally focused on love and American identity...

"The music is instantly recognizable as Anderson's, though it draws on a broad scope of styles: She sings throughout and plays newly developed sounds on violin, as well as contributing keyboards and percussion... On Homeland, Anderson is joined by a diversity of collaborators, from the Tuvan throat singers and igil players of Chirgilchin to New York experimental jazz and rock players, including Rob Burger (keyboards)... Kieran Hebden of Four Tet (keyboards)... Eyvind Kang (viola)... [and] Ben Witman (percussion and drums)... Antony Hegarty contributes additional vocals."

Nearly 30 years after releasing her masterpiece of a debut, Big Science, Anderson proves her relevance to modern pop music on Homeland. This is a truly fascinating album that blurs the lines of folk, electronica, jazz, neoclassical and many other styles. Start with "My Right Eye," "Bodies in Motion" and "Only an Expert."