20 Signs of Life in 2002

In the voluminous roll call of artists wrung dry by a creatively indifferent and hit-obsessed music industry, no name looms any larger or potentially sadder than Patty Griffin. Two major labels have manipulated Griffin into making albums unsatisfactory to everyone involved, then refused to release them when Griffin wouldn’t compromise further by manufacturing more "hits." It seems an odd tactic to browbeat an artist whose songs have been covered by the Dixie Chicks, Emmylou Harris, Reba McEntire, Bette Midler and Martina McBride, but to her credit, Griffin kept plugging away at the formulaic songwriting demanded of her by cloth-eared major label suits.

Finally released from her last label contract, Griffin translated that heady freedom into the exquisite and unencumbered basement recordings ultimately forming 1000 Kisses, her third release (but fifth album), of textural folky brilliance. With no label interference disrupting her creative process, Griffin assembled a stellar array of bruised and brooding songs with her guitarist, Doug Lancio, and a sparingly used band, giving the stark yet warm 1000 Kisses a tangible atmosphere as well as a distinct emotional weight.

Griffin’s achingly beautiful vocals, plaintive acoustic guitar and story songs are clearly the album’s heart and soul, but 1000 Kisses becomes transcendent with the sparse and subtle instrumental layers (guitars, accordion, trumpet) she and Lancio carefully place throughout the album. Proof of Griffin’s confidence in the material is her choice for the initial track, the nakedly open "Rain." Few artists would begin a defining album with such an affecting and powerful ballad, but Griffin clearly understands the strength of the subsequent songs and had no apprehension about leading with the gorgeous and subdued break-up ode. Equally bold are Griffin’s vulnerable take on Bruce Springsteen’s "Stolen Car" and the sensuous Latin seduction of "Mil Besos," the English translation of which titles the album.

With her new label, the Dave Matthews-imprint ATO Records, perhaps Patty Griffin has finally found a sympathetic home for her unique yet universal brand of folk-pop. The stunning results of 1000 Kisses demonstrate that leaving Griffin to her own devices is the only logical course from here on out.

See the rest of our 20 Signs of Life in 2002.