CIVILIANS - JOE HENRY
The superb “Civilians” succeeds not only as a melodic collection of poignant short stories, but also as a potent picture book of America gone wrong. Joe Henry’s catchy lopes, waltzes and piano-led songs are steeped in an American roots-music sensibility with hints of jazz instrumental finesse. Lyrically, we’re treated to telling snapshots of a general in civilian clothes who “draws a napkin battle plan” (on the title track), an artist who hopes despite grim rage (”I Will Write My Book”) and baseball icon Willie Mays spotted in a Scottsdale, Ariz., Home Depot (”Our Song”). It’s the last-mentioned number, the best of the batch, that anchors the disc with its theme of regret over national ruin and greed. Civilians
