About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

Dar Williams has put out a bunch of great records, and has earned her way into being counted among the best singer/songwriters of our time. The last couple of records have shown her branching out into more melodic pop-style tunes, and on My Better Self, she nails it down tight from her cover of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" to her original folk songs like "Empire."

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Pros

• Steuart Smith, Patty Larkin, Soulive, and Ani Difranco guest star

• The CD kicks off with a snarky tune about Teens for God
• Dar's cover of Pink Floyd finally made me like that song

Cons

• If you're looking for a sit-on-a-stool-style follk record, this isn't it

Description

• My top three picks from this CD: "Empire," "Teen for God," and "The Hudson."
• From anthemic Folk songs to tongue-in-cheek pop songs, this record covers everything.
• Few other artists can sing about what Dar Williams sings about with such ease and honesty.

Guide Review - Dar Williams - My Better Self

This is Dar Williams' 6th record since she opened eyes in 1995 with songs like "When I was a Boy" and "The Babysitter's Here," and so much has changed since then. For one, she's moved from Massachusetts to New York City. New York's challenging and invigorating influence shows up repeatedly on My Better Self.

The most obvious tune inspired by NYC is one of my favorites, "The Hudson," where she pays tribute to the river that played such a big part in New York's worth and growth. It's a great classic-style folk song that talks a little about history and work, and a lot about the songwriter who finds herself in awe of this piece of nature.

There are songs like "Echoes" and "Empire" which would probably be radio pop songs if they weren't so anthemic and poignant. A cool thing about Dar is that she could be a pop princess if she wanted. She's so capable of writing background songs with pretty melodies and rich arrangements. But she doesn't bother selling her lyrics short, and the result is such a great package. Even songs like "I'll Miss You Til I Meet You" and "Beautiful Enemy" are just so poetic and memorable.

It would be silly to not mention the presence of some truly wonderful players on this record too. After all, Steuart Smith (The Eagles), Julie Wolf (Ani Difranco band, Catie Curtis), Soulive, and Patty Larkin lend their remarkable intuitive craftsmanship. And Dar's duet with Ani Difranco on Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" merits respect!

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