This is tough one. I struggled between kd lang’s Shadowland and Absolute Torch and Twang. Torch and Twang won out. All the critical hype that surrounded this CD was earned. Listening to her voice with its range and control makes you think what a sad thing it is to have to endure Mariah Carey (Oscars) and Shania Twain (Grammys). While I have not been impressed with her last two efforts (Drag, which is very similar to Shadowland, but without the fever, and All You Can Eat), that is all the more reason to return to Torch and Twang. Time has not diminished the impact of its songs. The love ballads are tough but tender love, such as: “trail of broken hearts.”

trail of broken hearts
looking back at you
now and from the start
these words will travel true

The spare lyrics let lang use her voice to swell beyond the words and touch the pain of a broken heart. Along with the love serious ballads, “full moon full of love,” and “pullin’ back the reins” there are the lighter “its me,” “big boned ga,” “luck in my eyes,” and “big big love.” Each song on Torch and Twang projects near prefect musical mastery.