[.ca] Retrospective

Try to think of an enduring, widely respected, artistically progressive female songwriting duo. Now, try to think of one besides the Indigo Girls. Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have been pounding the folk-rock pavement since the early 1980s, filling the ears of eager listeners with their ethereal harmonies, lush arrangements, and evocative lyrics. Retrospective traces their progression from budding singer-songwriters to stunning musicians, arrangers, activists, and artists. Progressing chronologically, the album allows the listener to appreciate the depth and breadth of the pair's musical growth--from the reedy, passionate plea of "Strange Fire" to the blithe bounce of "Least Complicated" to the dark electricity of "Go." As time passes, more instruments are added, more sensitive political topics are addressed, and more experimental techniques are incorporated. The two new cuts--Ray's uptempo but slightly turbulent "Devotion" and Saliers's heartfelt road ballad "Leaving"--are reminiscent of the Girls' younger days but also reflect their artistic growth through subtle lyrical turns and deft melodic variations. --Sally Weinbach

The best CD:
I have all the Indigo Girls CD's and I have to say this is my favorite CD of all of them. This CD has so many of their great songs on it. Most of their other CD's I usually only get out to hear a few songs on it but with this one I can listen to the whole CD over and over again and not get tired or bored with it. This is the CD that is most often playing in my car.

The Power of Two.:
I normally don't listen to this kind of stuff, but I was won over by the sound and talent of these two. Great melodies and meaningful lyrics are just a couple of the things I like. The more popular songs are on here, like "Closer to Fine", "Power of Two", and "Least Complicated", but I really like "Three Hits", and "Galileo" just as much. I wish "Back Together Again" was on here, but otherwise this has everything I know by them. It's hard to compare them to anyone, but "CSN", "Simon and Garfunkel", and "Cowboy Junkies" come to mind, kind of. If you want just one "Indigo Girls" cd, this is the one.

• Strange Fire
• Closer to Fine
• Kid Fears
• Watershed
• Three Hits
• Galileo
• Ghost
• Reunion
• Power of Two
• Least Complicated
• Shame on You
• Get Out the Map
• Go
• Trouble
• Devotion
• Leaving