Tift Merritt - Tambourine

I've listened to the one before (Bramble Rose) and the one after (Another Country), and with the benefit of that context, Tambourine sounds like Merritt's Memphis record; not coincidentally, it's also a notch above her others, both of which are extremely solid modern country albums. Tambourine invokes Dusty Springfield (see esp. "Good Hearted Man") as well as brilliant contemporaries like Patty Griffin and Lucinda Williams, and makes clear that, when at the top of her game, Merritt has the songwriting chops and vocal abilities to be far from disgraced by the comparisons. By turns swinging, rocking, and tenderly folky, and shot through with a distinct gospel flavour, Tambourine deservedly sounds celebratory. for it's immensely enjoyable and likeable.