Singer/songwriter Ana Egge, called the Nina Simone of folk by Lucinda Williams for her impassioned and confident lyricism, is out with her seventh studio album, Bad Blood. This time Egge turns her sharp storytelling lens on mental illness and family, touching on the concept of bad blood both as hatred as well as hereditary disease. Such loaded material could weigh down composers of lesser skill, but Egge’s talent is well-honed and resplendent on this collection. Aided by Steve Earle as producer and backing vocals, singer Allison Moorer, and Eleanor Whitmore on a variety of strings, the twelve acoustic numbers are Egge’s best to date. Standouts include “Evil”, “Driving With No Hands”, and “Shadow Fall.” – Written by JFelton
