Amy Cook - Let The Light In

Singer/songwriter Amy Cook's masterful new April 6 roots/rock album Let The Light In is blessed with a number of musical guests who, in a way, help define the gutsy and extraordinary diversity at work here. For starters, there's Alejandro Escovedo, her prominent and praised fellow Austinite who marks Light as his first job as producer and adds his own distinctive guitar edge as well. Ben Kweller, another Lone Star luminary and friend, teams up with Cook for a co-write credit while the gifted Patty Griffin and Tosca String Quartet add harmonies and orchestration respectively, most notably on the heavenly lead track "Hotel Lights."

But by the time the last note fades, it's clear that Let The Light In is decidedly Cook's own impressive work, a scrappy, sumptuous album of scattered moods and intensities, from blistering, blissful, ragged-around-the-edges roots rock ("Moonrise", "I Wanna Be Your Marianne") to finely crafted, gritty and soulful drama ("Mescaline") to divine ballads ("Hotel Lights", the title track). Taking center stage is Cook's feisty musical persona, a tough and tender singer who's not afraid to mix things up, keep the atmosphere loose and get a little dirty and sweaty in the process of prodding things along with a jolt of distorted guitar or note-bending wail. Recommended.

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Amy Cook - "Hotel Lights" (from the album Let the Light In)

Amy Cook - "Saltwater" (from the album Let the Light In)

Photo: Cambria Harkey

Photo: Cambria Harkey