Common Nation Of Sorrow

In her 2nd release, Baiman uses her rich vocal styling and impeccable songcraft to explore such weighty issues as economic privilege, mental health and housing, as befits this child of a democratic socialist from Oak Park, Illinois. True to the folk masters, she tells her stories in a personal manner that inspired Maeri Ferguson of No Depression to comment 'It’s heavy stuff, to be sure, but Baiman elevates it with her honest twang, plus soft, grounded arrangements of banjo, fiddle, guitars ... Even when it’s condemning all that’s broken, the album has heart and the ever-important glimmer of hope.'. Twang and banjo not your thing, spin some of her infectious, uptempo folk/rock tracks instead. Heck, just play anything, it's all devine. (Mr. Bones)

RIYL: Gillian Welch, Bonnie Light Horseman, Mandolin Orange, Gregory Alan Isakov

1 Some Strange Notion - soft, haunting vocals over fiddle & other strings (med, 2:43)***

2 Annie - soft banjo over sweet orchestration & lovely whistling, features Erin Rae (slow, 2:54)***

3 Self Made Man - uptempo country/rock critique of 'self made men' with sublime banjo (fast, 3:07)**

4 She Don't Know - ode to the power of song to rejuvenate with deliriously beautiful chorus (med, 3:45)***

5 Lovers & Leavers - based on her struggle with bipolar depression; spooky guitar & slide nicely complement her forlorn vocals (med, 3:12)**

6 Bad Debt - moving reflection on personal debt features her soaring vocals (med, 3:29)*

7 Old Songs Never Die - lovely vocals over soft banjo (med, 2:35)*

8 Bitter - story of a starving artist with mesmerizing acoustic picking (slow, 3:49)*

9 Old Flame - waltz-time reminiscence of an old love with bittersweet fiddle & mandolin (slow, 3:35)

10 Ways Of The World - soft vocals over finger picked guitar with a Gillian Welch feel (slow, 3:01)*