Gillian Welch

We don't want to wait another eight years for an album from the incomparable Gillian Welch, especially in times like these.

Art Levine: Songs for the New Depression: Americana Icon Gillian Welch Storms Charts, Brings Stark Songs to DC Art Levine 2011

Listening to these songs, one can hear that the eight years taken between releases has caused Gillian Welch to ruminate and pour all of her weighing up and accounting of life's sad twists and turns into one of her best albums.

Art Levine: Songs for the New Depression: Americana Icon Gillian Welch Storms Charts, Brings Stark Songs to DC Art Levine 2011

With the economy teetering on collapse with the new debt deal, music fans can prepare for the mournful times ahead by listening to the sad, evocative songs of Gillian Welch, whose sound is steeped in Depression-era bluegrass but updated for today's hard times.

Art Levine: Songs for the New Depression: Americana Icon Gillian Welch Storms Charts, Brings Stark Songs to DC Art Levine 2011

With the economy teetering on collapse with the new debt deal, music fans can prepare for the mournful times ahead by listening to the sad, evocative songs of Gillian Welch, whose sound is steeped in Depression-era bluegrass but updated for today's hard times.

Art Levine: Songs for the New Depression: Americana Icon Gillian Welch Storms Charts, Brings Stark Songs to DC Art Levine 2011

With their perfect blend of melancholy voices, guitars and the occasional banjo, Gillian Welch and partner David Rawlings have ended the long wait of roots music fans for original music from Welch.

Art Levine: Songs for the New Depression: Americana Icon Gillian Welch Storms Charts, Brings Stark Songs to DC Art Levine 2011

Mr. Adams's fine solo debut in 2000, "Heartbreaker," featured the talents of former Parsons partner Emmylou Harris as well as Gillian Welch and David Rawlings.

'I've Got This Beautiful Stupidity' Jim Fusilli 2011

Or maybe not that startling - R.E.M.'s Peter Buck actually plays guitar on the song and Americana darling Gillian Welch sings backup.

Indie bands of the future: Don't touch the Ambien Chris Richards 2011

The overarching concept this time around appears to be none at all, save the influence of peers like R.E.M. and Gillian Welch, who contribute.

Dust of the Old, Boot Up the New Andy Beta 2011

Or maybe not that startling - R.E.M.'s Peter Buck actually plays guitar on the song and Americana darling Gillian Welch sings backup.

Album reviews: The Decemberists -- "The King Is Dead," Iron & Wine -- "Kiss Each Other Clean," Tennis -- "Cape Dory" Chris Richards 2011

While it's true that Gillian Welch isn't the first artist to use the rugged quality of early American folk music -- with its rich iconography and imagery -- as inspiration, what separates her from other artists who have done so is the deftness with which she employs familiar themes from archaic songs and adapts them to reflect the concerns of a person living in the 21st century.

Art Levine: Songs for the New Depression: Americana Icon Gillian Welch Storms Charts, Brings Stark Songs to DC Art Levine 2011