Those expected Sleater-Kinney-lite will be sorely disappointed. With the exception of "Doubt", there is precious little that touches on the D.I.Y. aggro-rock of Tucker's past. That's not a bad thing.
That's not to say that the intensity is not there, Tucker simply finds other, less obvious ways to create it. The title track absolutely smolders, while a track like "It's Always Summer" latches on with a unwavering emotional tug.
For the most part Tucker has traded her trademark wailing warble for a more contained vocal delivery. By scaling back on the expected siren screams, Tucker actually conveys a much broader range of emotions, which are no less gripping. Hearing Tucker channels Chan Marshall on the mopey blueser "Handed Love" is a prime example.
Maybe the best part of 1,000 Years is that Tucker seems to be free to utilize sounds and styles that she never really touched upon in Sleater-Kinney. The mellow piano of "Miles Away", the inclusion of strings on several tracks, the off-kilter percussion of "Half a Wold Away", and the Helium-esque chamber rock of "Dragon" all point to a refreshingly expansive sound.
1,000 Years may not be Sleater-Kinney v. 2.0, but it looks like it's the start to something that could be even better.
Best tracks: "Handed Love", "
Track listing for 1,000 Years:
- 1,000 Years
- Half a World
- It's Always Summer
- Handed Love
- Doubt
- Dragon
- Riley
- Pulling Pieces
- Thrift Store Coats
- Big Goodbye
- Miles Away
8.5/10
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