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Grade: B-
CD » Bluesy Americana artist Allison Moorer has an impressive pedigree, being the sister Shelby Lynne, husband of Steve Earle, and stepmother of Justin Townes Earle. It shows on her new album "Crows," the welcome follow-up to the 37-year-old's 2008 all-covers album "Mockingbird." The minor-key-dominated collection of grievous ballads sounds like they come from an Alabaman ravaged by the murder-suicide of her parents, and snapshots like "Easy in the Summertime" are devastating. One major qualm, though, is that the album lacks the passion and fire to propel it to scorching heights.
-- David Burger
