Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan - Hawk

Album Review
SPIN
September 2010
Link
6/10

Scottish indie lass returns as rootsy, remote Svengali.

 

Isobel Campbell wrote and produced nearly all the songs on her previous two collaborations with former Screaming Trees/Queens of the Stone Age growler Mark Lanegan, and this time, the ex–Belle and Sebastian singer-cellist takes complete control of the album's direction. Yet her wispy voice recedes further into the background, as the genial creak of folk-pop prodigy Willy Mason complements Lanegan's foreboding rumble, and James Iha lends tastefully bluesy guitar. Overall, Hawk faithfully follows its predecessors' dusty Americana blueprint, trading a standout Hank Williams cover for two by Townes Van Zandt.