CD Reviews- Holly Williams- Here With Me

The Background:
Most notably recognized as the daughter of Hank Williams Jr. and granddaughter of Hank Williams, Holly Williams has been, up until now, known more for her musical lineage instead of for her critically acclaimed 2004 first album, The Ones We Never Knew. That is about to change, however. Though still in her 20's, Holly has been using music to tell the story of her life and those around her for the better part of two decades. Starting at age eight, Holly filled a notebook she called "Holly's song folder" with her own compositions, though the lyrical content was far beyond the comprehension of your typical elementary school student. The first of these songs, titled "Who Am I”, told the story of a woman in her 20's facing a broken marriage. Holly's penchant for addressing life's ups and downs through song was clearly established at this point, as was her songwriting method. "The way I wrote then is the way I write now. A song comes to me in its entirety. The chorus and melody come at the same time, but I didn't really sing my songs for many people back then. It was just kind of the first hints of what I would do later. She says, "When it's in the blood, you can't help it."

The Review:
It’s almost impossible to disconnect the Williams legacy from this new young artist. What she brings to the table is much of her grandfather’s touch with a song. Her voice, while beautiful, has a unique ability to convey the nuances of feeling including sadness, genuine hurt, joy and disappointment. It’s a very emotional sound- most notable through her slower and quieter songs. This emotive songstress channels the very best of her musical legacy on nearly every song- drawing the listener in with some of the best melancholy textured ballads released this year. What further reveals that this album is part of her soul, is that Here With Me is the most autobiographical of releases. "Mama" gives us a child’s appreciative view on her divorced mother’s grace in handling a tough divorce from her father. "Let Her Go," a co-write between Williams and Marcus Hummon (producer on One Flew South’s album), has Williams giving heartfelt plea to an over-protective dad to let her "touch the universe" on her own. And Williams gets even more personal with a cut addressing her near-fatal car accident with her sister on "Without Jesus Here with Me." It’s an incredibly touching song, delivering that same mesmerizing and addictive emotion with every line- like only someone who has lived the pain can deliver. One of the exceptions on the album is the upbeat dedication to kicking out her man on the lead radio single "Keep the Change." Written by songwriting team Luke Laird and Hilary Lindsey, "Keep the Change" is a great uneven beat and guitar-driven pop-rock number that gets better with each listen. Here With Me feels “lived in.” The stories are told like only someone who has lived them can tell them. She allows us into her skin for forty minutes and allows the therapy of music to not only sooth her own bones, but feed our soul as well. It’s an outstanding album.

Sounds Like:
Bonnie Raitt & Carlene Carter

Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):
Mama
Keep The Change
Let Her Go
Three Days In Bed
Without Jesus Here With Me

The Verdict:
Four Stars Out Of Five