Emilie Clepper hails from Quebec City. She's made a name for herself playing roughhewn folk. Her dad Russell is from Texas. He's the family on this record, and his presence is likely the reason for the vastly increased range on this set.

Emilie Clepper The Family Record (La Tribu)

Clepper is at home in English and French, and she moves between them on this album. More interestingly, her songs ramble about in subject locales and overall influences. More than on any previous album, Clepper opens up her sound to electric instruments even as she stays true to her folk roots. Her confidence is palpable and engaging.

While Clepper might well tour as woman and guitar, there's a whole lot more band on this album as well. Lots of western swing and western influences in general. When some pedal steel rolls through, it's kinda like watching a distant train move against the horizon (spend some time in west Texas and you'll see what I mean), palpable but unreachable.

By far her most ambitious album, this is also Clepper's most accomplished. She has spread her wings and enfolded a host of new influences into her nest. The result is something of a sonic travelogue, sung by someone who knows that dirt roads exist everywhere. You just have to get out of town.

Jon Worley