Indigo Girls: Poseidon and the Bitter Bug: Review of New Album by Folk Rock Duo

The 2009 release from folk-rock veterans Indigo Girls, Poseidon and the Bitter Bug, is a thoughtful and melodic blend of songwriter sensibilities and earnest harmonies. The Georgia natives have crafted an album that harkens back to their early days in the Athens, Georgia music scene.

Indigo Girls’ Soaring Melodies Abound on Poseidon and the Bitter Bug

This new album from the Indigo Girls has all the uplifting melodies and harmonies a listener expects from an Indigo Girls album. There are not many surprises in Poseidon and the Bitter Bug, but no disappointments either.

The harmonies remain the key to the Indigo Girls sound on Poseidon and the Bitter Bug. Whether they are used sparingly, such as on the uncluttered and introspective “I’ll Change,” or more prominently on songs such as “Fleet of Hope,” the voices of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers soar and dive like birds in an endless mating dance.

Although they are not particularly known for their guitar work, there is some tasty guitar work here. The grooves are deep, especially on “Driver Education” and “Ghost of the Gang.” The Indigo Girls make good use of rhythm comping and fingerpicking to enhance their extraordinary vocals. The guitars are smooth and do not get in the way--they are not too much and not too little.

Amy Ray and Emily Saliers Show Different Songwriting Styles

Although the Indigo Girls record together, both Amy Ray and Emily Saliers write their own songs. Each of them have five songs on Poseidon and the Bitter Bug, alternating between each musician. It becomes very obvious on Poseidon and the Bitter Bug how different their styles are, as the tunes vary between the wistful and sweet songs of Saliers and the deep introspection and soul of Ray.

Saliers reached deep down and comes up with a fantastic love song in “I’ll Change,” with a chorus that stays in the listener’s head well after the song is over. However, “What Are You Like?” the album’s first single, fall a little flat.

It is Ray’s songs that shine on this album, though. From the groovy “Sugar Tongue” to the booty-shaking backbeats on “Driver Education” and “Ghost of the Gang,” takes her dark, moody lyrics and marries them to some thick acoustic rock.

The final song on Poseidon and the Bitter Bug, another of Ray’s gems called “True Romantic,” is an achingly naked love song which builds up to Ray almost howling in agony at the end. It is a perfect ending to a solid and well crafted album, one that should delight Indigo Girls’ fans and become a staple in many CD libraries.

Track Listing for Poseidon and the Bitter Bug

The copyright of the article Indigo Girls: Poseidon and the Bitter Bug in Folk Music is owned by Craig Sanders. Permission to republish Indigo Girls: Poseidon and the Bitter Bug in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Jun 17, 2009 8:26 PM

Guest :

"Although they are not particularly known for their guitar work..." You have got to be kidding me. Whomever wrote this is obviously not familiar with the Indigo Girls. Emily Saliers is one of the best guitarists I have ever seen/heard, and I have played, and taught for 36 years. She was classicly trained when she was a child, and it shows in her playing. You need to check out the solo in "Land of Canaan" on their self-titled cd, and then you will realize just how incorrect your statement was, and just how unfamiliar you are with the guitar work of Emily Saliers. I find it odd that you would be positive about the guitar work on the new album, because among Indigo Girls fans, and musicians that I know and work with, it is considered a disappointment in terms of the guitar work because of the lack of Emily Saliers solos when compared to their previous albums.