Pitchfork

Gillian is a songwriter in every sense of the word. Her words are remarkably vivid and listening to her music makes you feel like things are never going to get better. It's not everyday that you come across a musician that can describe loss this well.

This is pure country music. As pure as it comes, in fact. No crazy rhythm section, no sparkly rhinestone jumpsuits, and no songs about 'me and my hoss.' Just classic country music.

The sound of this album so perfectly portrays the poor, broken down farmhouses of the Bible Belt, where people are flat broke and the only hope they have left is their lord, Jesus. And it wouldn't be a genuine classic country record without that guy. That said, Welch's debut, even with a couple of bland tracks, is about as good as records from Nashville come these days.