Angaleena Presley
Album: American Middle Class
Label: Thirty Tigers
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.angaleenapresley.com/

Falling somewhere between Americana and modern country, "American Middle Class" is the solo debut from Angalena Presley, until now, probably best known as a member of the multi-platinum selling Pistol Annies, but based on this album, that could all be about to change.

If I was going to be particularly unkind, I could describe "American Middle Class" as a diary album and to a degree, but it's a warts and all diary and I don't think I've come across an artist less able to apply a filter since Kristen Hersch, there are definitely times on this album where you feel you are taking it to the stage of a voyeur, if not a full blown stalker.

Presley hails from the part of Kentucky where feuding became part of history, she is a direct descendant of the (in)famous McCoy clan. The sort of place where the school of hard knocks is the local high school.

Angaleena has quite a tale to tell and tell it she does across the twelve tracks that make up "American Middle Class". There's no disputing that she has made some poor life choices during her growing up period, drink and drug issues that lead an unexpected pregnancy and single motherhood. I'm sure there were people in her family and town that weren't overjoyed that she decided to reveal all in an album of great songs, but that would be to overlook the beating of the bad times and the road to redemption.

There are god fearing elements to the album, but that's part of the DNA of the singer and to be honest I would be more surprised if it was missing. It's not just a personal album, there are plenty of politics that permeate the album. The real punch is the title track, a really good explanation of the resentment of many of the hard working country folk stuck between too poor to pay tax and not rich enough to not pay tax and similarly finding themselves looking at the poor as the cause rather than the rich.

There are also those songs that lay down the ground for those that may not be as understanding of the way some states work, "Dry County Blues" being a good example, that and the following song "Pain Pills" which highlights a solution to not being able to hit the booze.

There is no doubting that this is a hard hitting album, country rock, Americana, call it what you will. It's honest, real and raw and quite addictive. It's a life laid out for the world to hear about and even though it borders on a breach of privacy, I for one can't wait for another chapter.

Neil King