Because It Feel Good
Kelly Hogan loves country, rock, and soul just about equally, and with a voice as warm and sticky-sweet as a fresh pecan pie, she does justice to them all. Her third album takes things slow and sultry, making its predecessors seem rowdy in retrospect. The song selection follows a familiar formula--a pair of Hogan's own compositions, plus eight interpretations of forgotten favorites (likeRandy Newman's "Living Without You" and theStatler Brothers' "I'll Go to My Grave Loving You") and contemporary diamonds in the rough (likeSmog's "Strayed"). Guest starAndrew Bird's violin makes a melodrama of Hogan's break-up ballad "No Bobby Don't," while the other original, "Sugarbowl"--a tune packed with naughty double-entendres and featuring a mouth trumpet solo--is both playful and poignant. Best of all is "Please Don't Leave Me Lonely," a cover of New Orleans soul manKing Floydthat smolders for three delicious minutes before bursting into flames.--Anders Smith Lindall