A New White Stripes Record?! No, That’s Just Jack White Supporting Loretta Lynn

I am listening Van Lear Rose, Loretta Lynn’s critically-acclaimed record recorded with Jack White from 2004, and Jack White’s stamp is all over this record. At least the stamp that was starting to take shape with Get Behind Me Satan, which was released around the same time. Also apparent—the Raconteurs, who are represented here by three of the four members. With these (and other players), Loretta crafts a beautiful masterpiece.

#2 – Loretta Lynn, Van Lear Rose (Metascore = 97)

Regardless of whom she plays with, Loretta Lynn knows how to write stories into songs. The styles weave between traditional country music (think “Them Boots Were Made for Walking”) and modern country (think current hits by Sugarland or Carrie Underwood). Within the song styles are lyrics that tell stories of searching for love, drinking, family troubles, and the like. While there are few weaknesses (if any) on this album, here are some of the best songs: “Van Lear Rose”, “Portland, Oregon”, “Family Tree”, “High on a Mountain Top”, and “Miss Being Mrs.” Every song tells a different story—some autobiographical, some fictional. I cannot imagine anyone that has not encountered similar stories in their lives.

“Van Lear Rose” is an excellent beginning to an album, telling the story of how one boy’s persistence got him the girl in the end despite all his detractors saying otherwise. “Portland, Oregon” sounds like it would be comfortable between two drunks remembering the times over another round. “High on a Mountain Top” is a gospel-influenced autobiography that has a great chorus and beat. “Family Tree” has a great line it—“I won’t dirty my hands with trash like you.” Where do you hear that stated so frankly? “God Makes No Mistakes” is a very short song but makes such a powerful statement within its 1:45 walls. “Mrs. Leroy Brown” takes Jim Croce’s original “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” and revs it up for the female version.

The album’s final two tracks—“Miss Being Mrs.” and “Story of My Life”—are great send offs to this album. Really, if these were the only two songs, they would be enough. They summarize more or less everything that was said in the earlier songs, and the song styles better emphasize Lynn’s classic country sound. “Miss Being Mrs.”, to me, is probably the dearest song. You feel for her character, who is dealing with the loss of her husband. These tracks close an album worthy of the score it received.