MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER Vinyl & CDs

Review: US country star Mary Chapin Carpenter's 1992 album Come On Come On arrives on vinyl for the first time, and in grape-purple hues at that. The record sold three million copies and scored along a formerly undotted, futuristic country music line, blending pop and soft rock, perspectival femininity and intimate songwriting. Its grand slam of seven country hits include 'I Feel Lucky,' 'He Think He'll Keep Her,' and inspired covers of Dire Straits' 'The Bug' and Lucinda Williams' 'Passionate Kisses.' Embraced with open arms by early 90s Americana and alt-country fans, with guest spots from Rosanne Cash, The Indigo Girls and Shawn Colvin, it's one for the star-spangled ages.

Review: Country and folk singer/songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter is making up for lost time. Having left it five years between albums, the multi-Grammy winner is now onto her second album of 2025, having released a collaborative album, Looking for the Thread, back in January. Chapin's glistening oeuvre, which stretches back to her Steve Buckingham-produced debut in 1987, is bolstered significantly with this new offering, too. 'Bitter Ender', the first single, manages to sound intimate and widescreen at the same time: there's plenty of polish to make it a daytime radio hit, whilst never losing sight of the fact the Americana genre is principally about storytelling and she holds your attention throughout. Meanwhile, 'Home Is A Song' is more downtempo and strives off the beautiful interlocking of simple piano chords and intricate arpeggio guitar. The chorus harmonies are delightful and heartfelt. A solid entry by an all-time great of the genre.