k.d. lang
Reintarnation (Rhino)
When the Canadian post decides to put native daughter k.d. lang on a stamp, it’s going to have a time choosing which phase to use. Philatelic options range from the gender-bending cowpunk who blew down from Alberta two decades ago to the torch-wielding adult-contemporary fixture who laid down tracks with Tony Bennett in 2002. Judging from lang’s new country-flavored hits-and-more Reintarnation, it’s pretty clear that the Chairwoman retains plenty of affection for her early Patsy Cline-inspired incarnation. What’s more, she’s always known the two personas were connected, and with a few well-chosen cuts from her seminal Absolute Torch and Twang – “Pullin’ Back the Reins” especially – lang puts her career back into perspective. The voice has always been there; her crackerjack band puts the bounce into two-steppers such as “Big Boned Gal,” “Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes,” and “Angel With a Lariat.” Meanwhile, the inclusion of novelties like “Don’t Be a Lemming Polka” from the soundtrack of Even Cowgirls Get the Blues reminds listeners that lang has long been an intractable talent. There are few revelations here, but for those who enjoyed lang as a lively counterpoint to the final days of the Reagan presidency, Reintarnation is pure pleasure. (SXSW Interview: Thursday, March 16, 2:45pm @ Austin Convention Center)
This article appears in March 17 • 2006.