KELLY WILLIS Issue #32

Translated From Love

By Dean Ramos
Published: June 1st, 2007 | 12:00am

Continuing the easy-going themes and general feel of contentment that began with her previous effort, Easy, Kelly Willis once again weaves her honey-dipped voice through a dozen or so songs about love, heartbreak, and the trials and tribulations this mother of two goes through every day on her latest, Translated From Love.

This time around, however, we find a wiser, more experienced singer, which is clear from the opening cover of fellow country artist Damon Bramblett’s “Nobody Wants To Go To the Moon Anymore.” Still every bit as sweet and sassy as she’s been in the past, there’s now a faint trace of cynicism to Willis’ lyrics that wasn’t there before. Thankfully, though, this cynical edge, evident on songs like “Sweet Sundown” and the absolutely gorgeous “Stone’s Throw Away,” hardly overwhelms the album and is still just as distinctive as Kelly Willis fans would hope.

Other notable tracks include covers of Moldy Peaches alum Adam Green’s “Teddy Boys,” which Willis turns into an utterly charming honky-tonk number, and the entirely improbable Iggy Pop classic, “Success,” a raucous ray of sunshine put to music.

Even after nearly 20 years, it seems as if this country chanteuse will probably never reach the heights of popularity that artists like Faith Hill and Shania Twain have, but Willis seems to have plans for sticking around for the long haul, not content with being just another flash-in-the-pan video vixen. With Translated From Love, she may achieve just that.