Album Review – Lilly Hiatt’s “Walking Proof”

One of the issues facing Americana music is that nobody really seems to know where it fits in the music world. But the deeper dilemma is that many of the artists that claim allegiance to Americana don’t really know where they fit in the music world either. Deep, cerebral songwriting with a prominent roots influence is of course the universal factor in Americana music. But sonically, it’s a hodgepodge, all over the place, with artists often pinballing between sounds and producers, unsure of who they are musically, which can be a little messy and disorienting.
There’s no worries about that with Lilly Hiatt. She found her definitive sound and style, and stuck the landing with her last critically-acclaimed record Trinity Lane in 2017, and is now back for more with her latest record Walking Proof. The sound of Lilly Hiatt includes some rock and roll energy and abandon, a little psychedelic fuzz when it fits, but then will transition to a more rootsy mood just at the right time, and even country finds its way into the mix in opportune moments to make the experience grounded and widely appealing. It’s Americana, but with a plan and purpose, blending influences into a sound that’s diverse, but signature to her.
There’s no separation between music, mood, and message with Ms. Hiatt. The songs dictate their own direction. The band rises to meet her energy in the pulsating “Little Believer,” or hushes up and dials it down for the intimate moments of “Scream.” Sometimes the music vacillates between both loud and soft in the same song like in the opener “Rae,” but it always feels just about right, and emphasizes the melody, making Lillie’s music easy to love, and easy to lose yourself in.

Lilly Hiatt is the sage of the apartment dwellers, the bad planners, the people with big hearts, bigger dreams, but bad execution. She’s the siren for those who eat candy for lunch in their early 30’s, like she sings about in the fifth song of this album. But hey, don’t judge. She’s doing the best she can. And behind this sweet little mess is a strong perseverance and lessons learned, always striving to get better and find her proper place.
Putting smart words and fun music behind major moments in life is Hiatt’s stock-in-trade, custom fit for those stuck somewhere in between being adults, and actually succumbing to adulthood. Love and heartbreak is a common theme of course, like the disappoint of lost opportunities found in “P-Town” or the tale of how some never address their dilemmas, but just spend a lifetime running from them in “Move.”
You have to be cool with some rock music if you’re gonna get into the full Lilly Hiatt experience, but if you’re search for the more country moments, maybe start with “Candy Lunch,” working into “Walking Proof,” and then into the well-written “Drawl.” Sometimes it’s hard to tell if Lilly is singing her words of assurance to herself or the audience. But either way, you take them to heart, and they’re appreciated. In the world of Lilly Hiatt, everyone’s accepted, not just in spite of their flaws, but sometimes because of them. Come as you are.
There may not be that one monster song on Walking Proof like Lilly had with the title track of Trinity Lane. But she gives you a lot to enjoyably listen to, backstopped by meaningful songwriting that makes you believe you’re not alone in your struggle to find proper footing in the real world.
7.5/10
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June 18, 2020 @ 9:35 am
Have been a longtime fan of her dad and just stumbled across Trinity Lane about a year ago and immediately fell in love with it and her other stuff.
Missed seeing her open for the mighty Drive-By Truckers a couple of years ago.
The review is dead on. Very good, although I don’t think it’s quite as excellent at Trinity Lane primarily due to the 2 or 3 really excellent cuts on that album (e.g., title track, The Night David Bowie Died, Records) but still very, very good.
June 19, 2020 @ 6:23 pm
Wasn’t her dad one of those artists for whom the Americana genre was created for. Not quite rock, not quite country, with a bit of folk and blues baked in?
June 20, 2020 @ 3:17 pm
Makes sense to me. Whatever you call it, I like it.
June 18, 2020 @ 10:51 am
thanks for the review – i really loved Trinity Lane and was looking forward to some time to really dive into this one, but i’ve liked what i’ve heard so far
June 18, 2020 @ 11:48 am
The is nice album. Good songs. I like the flow of the album. I’d say it’s become my second favorite of hers after the career album that was Trinity Lane. They’re all good, though. Royal Blue, too.
I’ve seen her twice. The first was a very good full band show and the second was a solo set opening for JTE solo at The Birchmere in the DC area. That was a special show. I’ve been a big fan of The Dads for a long time and have seen them many times in that room (about 10 for JH and 5 for SE). Having become a big fan of the “children” and being able to see them together in that same room was really nice.
June 18, 2020 @ 11:49 am
Lilly Hiatt’s music makes me smile.
June 18, 2020 @ 12:08 pm
Me, too. And the sound of her voice gives me a warm feeling (reminds me of Linda Williams of Robin and Linda Williams). And she can really rock, too.
June 18, 2020 @ 8:48 pm
Yeah, this is a great follow up. I’d say it’s a hair under Trinity Lane though.
June 20, 2020 @ 5:29 am
I liked the previous album quite a bit, and enjoying this one also. I think she has a way of singing that makes the lyrics honest and relatable. Wish more people would pay attention to these good album reviews for actually good music instead of piling on the more controversial ones, looks like Garth’s turn today.
July 7, 2020 @ 5:46 pm
The songs here are more rock than country, but there is something I really like about the music in “Candy Lunch”. It has this wistful vibe to it and reminds me of a more upbeat version of 90s/00s alt rock.
July 7, 2020 @ 5:50 pm
Are you the Eric (the major Taylor Swift fan)?
Your comment reads like his style.
July 7, 2020 @ 5:57 pm
Yes, I am indeed 🙂
Glad you remember me, despite the fact that I haven’t posted here in about 4 years!
July 7, 2020 @ 6:06 pm
I was wondering the same thing.
July 7, 2020 @ 6:42 pm
I have been reading the archives so your style is fresh in my mind.
Glad to have you back.
July 7, 2020 @ 6:53 pm
Thanks!
It’s been a while, but it seems like radio country music is still stuck in a rut artistically. Still waiting for that third traditional wave to arrive. Among the current hit singers, I guess people like Luke Combs and Jon Pardi might hold the key on that front…
July 15, 2020 @ 9:33 pm
Nice review. The vibe on this album feels a little different from Trinity Lane, which felt more emotionally raw to me. Lilly joins the esteemed company of Sam Doores, Tessy Lou Williams, Phoebe Bridgers, and Bob Dylan on my list of albums I suspect will always remind me of these weird coronavirus times.
I have a soft spot for country-adjacent singer-songwriters, especially women—Caroline Spence, Caitlin Rose, Courtney Marie Andrews, Erin Rae—and have discovered several of them through this site. So please consider this a vote to keep those reviews coming.