Originally issued on Steve Earle's US label under the banner of alt.rockers Varnaline (Earle and Twangtrust partner, Ray Kennedy, co-produce, too), Songs In A Northern Key is Parker's broadest vision to date, touching all bases from space-folk through rustic country to belly-aching rock. Less impressive when cutting loose ("Anything From Now" and "Let It All Come Down" are sub-Sebadoh workouts), its finest moments—"Indian Summer Takedown", "Blackbird Fields"—are subtly arresting mini-classes in bruised, troubled Americana. One step closer to major league.

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