There are points when Kid feels a little boxed; "Mom & Dad's Waltz" plays trite in the indicated time signature, and "Wild Old Dog" delves too far into its God-as-errant-mutt metaphor. Nevertheless, Griffin re-emerges with her best foot forward, sparse folk for the working man ("Faithful Son").
Griffin should be much better known than she is, but then mediocrity often rises to the top. American Kid is a spellbinding masterpiece, aGriffin should be much better known than she is, but then mediocrity often rises to the top. American Kid is a spellbinding masterpiece, a word which I don't apply indiscriminately. It's her Blood on the Tracks.…Expand
It's hard to imagine a more blissful combination of pain and paradise than hearing Patty Griffin on this stripped down, heart-broken-openIt's hard to imagine a more blissful combination of pain and paradise than hearing Patty Griffin on this stripped down, heart-broken-open recording. MASTERPIECE!…Expand
I've run out of words to describe the greatness of Patty Griffin. If she's ever written a bad song, it hasn't been recorded. She's a genius atI've run out of words to describe the greatness of Patty Griffin. If she's ever written a bad song, it hasn't been recorded. She's a genius at conveying the details of simple moments to immerse you in the story, to make you feel like you've been somewhere you've never been. She's not just a great poet, she's an insightful voice. American Kid is a masterpiece and sonically is quite different than her other albums. Listen to the first 4 tracks and tell me she isn't the best songwriter alive today.…Expand
I have long wondered why Patty Griffin isn't more well known if not downright revered for her art. American Kid makes that gap between herI have long wondered why Patty Griffin isn't more well known if not downright revered for her art. American Kid makes that gap between her achievements and notoriety seem even stranger. She has put forth collections of perfectly sculpted songs for years, too many masterpieces to recount at this point. American Kid is her finest accomplishment to date. American Kid is not the same sort of collection of miniatures Griffin typically releases. It's unified by theme in a way her other albums have not been, save Downtown Church. It's a whole, fully formed work. Nothing she has ever done has felt more personal, and that is saying a lot, considering her distinctive ability to hit the heart and soul with that one of a kind combination of singing and songwriting. The people in these songs, veterans, slaves, lovers, sons, God himself, fathers, especially her own, walk in to the room during these songs--her word choices are that perfect and evocative in each turn of lyric and note. This album also seems to carry with it the weight of American history, the history experienced by men like her father, men now leaving the earth, people long past and forgotten. Anyone who has known these men or who has lost someone they love or seen a love end too soon will cherish this album. Patty seems determined in these songs to commit their stories (most poignantly her father's story) to memory for all time. American Kid is a stunning achievement. A masterwork by one of our great living singer/songwriters. No one who still values the craft of song-making and songwriting should leave this album out of their collection.…Collapse
Stunning album, and the best I have heard this year. Patty Griffin has always amazed me with her storytelling and musical ability, and thisStunning album, and the best I have heard this year. Patty Griffin has always amazed me with her storytelling and musical ability, and this album is probably the best collection of focused songs that she has released. Wild old dog, go wherever you wanna go, that kind of lonely, and not a bad man are among immediate standouts, but the album flows wonderfully and is full of excellent lyrics, great music, and diverse production. I think you will struggle to find a more touching and beautiful album this year. Excellent.…Expand
Published: December 19, 2013We reveal our final official list of 2013's highest-scoring albums.