Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
We must understand that the utopia we crave is a nightmare for others, for if they lose control, if they lose the ability to silence us, then they would rather burn the world to a cinder than ever give us the chance to rectify their mistakes. We are told we are not able to understand the complexity of the problem, that it takes their keen sense of business, their drive alone that can banish the problems they created and lead us into a place where time is better spent.
We don’t need to just realise we have not only been gaslighted all this time, but we also need to acknowledge we have been in an abusive relationship with the powers that be, and one that can be solved by the true self speaking their words, that even in the softest heart there is anger that has been building up for what seems like California Centuries.
The laid back and the productive rubbing shoulders and cooperating, it is how we perceive time in that great state, and for the giant of the genre, Laure Benitez, the opportunity to work once more with the players in The Heartache, is one that provides the listener with the sense of wonderful provocation required to shout down the abusers and reckless power addicts before they find a way to provide the spark of oblivion once and for all.
It comes down to acknowledging that are afraid, but going ahead with the fight anyway, and Ms. Benitez is more than happy to pull on the gloves and go toe to toe with the ignorant and the ill-bred pennyworth dictators. We have been through a collective sense of anxiety and dread, and as the 4th album by the musician plays out, her own sense of duty recognises the joy in the process of creativity, and the diehard country admonishment of those who would hurt her family, friends, and fans alike,
Whilst tracks such as the opener Bad Things, Are You Using Your Heart, Let The Chips Fall, the superb Gaslight (We Shouldn’t Talk About It), God Willing and the Creek Don’t Rise, and the terrific closer of I’m With The Band display their emotional heritage with sincerity and candour, the undeniable warmth on show is glory personified, and as once again Ms. Benitez surrounds herself with polish, luxury, and drive, and with musicians such as Bob Spector, Russell Kiel, Steve Pearson, Dave irbel, Ian Sutton, Amy Scher, Bryan Kilgore, and Sarah Schweppe, so the album is to be seen as major stepping stone in production, of feeling, and of observance.
If you are going to start a revolution then do it with full voice and not conceding an inch to those that bombarded you with lies and fears, for in California Centuries the listener finds their thoughts given the feminine anger they deserve, and it is to Laura Benitez that they have a standard bearer worth exulting.
Ian D. Hall