Album Review – Rachel Brooke’s “The Loneliness in Me”
Apparently not enough hearts have been broken, not enough tears cried, not enough minds sent swooning, and not enough sorrow sown. If you want something done right, you often have to do it yourself, and the Queen of Underground Country is back to show all you whipper snappers how instilling pain and heartbreak in a country song is done.
If you’re one of those souls who gets to feeling happy through sad songs, you’ve just stumbled onto the mother lode. Rachel Brooke shows no mercy to the meek and weary, with a voice filled with so much natural pain, it tightens the screws down on your emotional receptors like a vice, and with a sound so unique, it deserves its own subgenre.
Rachel Brook’s been defining the dark side of country before we knew there was one. Mixing her influences of classic country, old-school 50’s rock, and adding a pinch of punk panache to the approach, she serves up a witches brew of songs full of reverberating regret and despair on her new album The Loneliness In Me.
But don’t worry, she’s doesn’t go full goth like she’s done with some of her songs and side projects from the past, where it’s sometimes more about the artistic expression than the infectious appeal. In fact this record might be Rachel’s most accessible to date and a great entry point into her catalog, while also remaining very classic, very country, and very well-written and performed. The Loneliness In Me might also be her best overall yet.
Whether it’s the classic country material like “Picture On The Wall” or “It Won’t Be Long,” or a song like “Undecided Love” that gives you all kinds of darkish Debbie Reynolds vibes, or when Rachel Brooke goes full Countrypolitan in the string-laden “The Awful Parts of Me,” she knows how to work irony into nostalgia in ways few others understand, let alone can master at this level. It’s all so unsettling, but in a way that’s strangely comforting.
It’s been eight years since Rachel Brooke graced us with a new album, but she hasn’t been idle over that time. Along with releasing the second installment of songs with collaborator Lonesome Wyatt of Those Poor Bastards in 2015’s Bad Omen, she also released a Modern Mal record with her long-time musical partner Brooks Robbins in 2017.
Collaborations have always been one of Rachel Brooke’s strong suits as songwriters and performers from Jayke Orvis to Justin Wells line up to figure out some way to get her voice on their records. This is how she became the Queen of Underground Country. But her singular gift and regal crown comes with an incredible burden, as she sings about in the title track. “I sit upon my worry throne in a Queendom that I rule alone. That’s the loneliness in me.”
Pegging the needle on the cool meter, and working in all the darkest of human emotions, Rachel Brooks turns in an immersive work ripe for the haunting season, but one that will be evergreen in appeal to those dark souls who find their solace in sadness.
8/10
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October 26, 2020 @ 9:32 am
This Album is amazing. Country Music meets Mazzy Star on some of these songs. Hope Sandoval (Lead Singer of Mazzy Star) would be proud. 2 thumbs up from me for sure.
October 26, 2020 @ 10:16 am
I’m enjoying the album. Stylistically, sort of a distaff alternative to Charley Crockett. She’d fit nicely in the same bouquet with Lindi Ortega and Nikki Lane. I do wish I could dial back the reverb on her vocals a wee bit, but it’s obviously part of the vibe she’s after. That quibble aside, it’s a buy for me.
October 26, 2020 @ 1:35 pm
I have been a HUGE fan of Rachel Brooke for many years now and I discovered her from your website. Thanks for getting me hip to her music and continuing to spread the word.
October 26, 2020 @ 6:50 pm
I thought the album was a little too wordy at times, but otherwise enjoyed it.
October 26, 2020 @ 2:58 pm
“and the Queen of Underground Country is back ”
just my humble opinion, but i think that Royal Title, and all lands that are included, belongs to Lindi Ortega.
i will most definitely be looking into this, as i value triggers recommendations, as well as Lindi being name checked above as similar to this chanteuse.
October 26, 2020 @ 4:30 pm
Underground county and Gothic country are two separate things, even though there is some overlap. Rachel Brooke definitely brings darkness to her music. But most importantly she was there when a country music underground was forming, and being populated by many current or former punk and metal fans thanks to Hank Williams III and others turning to country and roots in the post punk era. Collaborating directly with the .357 String Band, Jayke Orvis, Lonesome Wyatt from Those Poor Bastards, along with releasing her own music and playing underground events puts Rachel very much in the center of that movement, and she was decidedly one of the only prominent women who was part of it at that time.
Meanwhile Lindi Ortega came up through Canada and decidedly Americana circles, winning CCMA Awards, etc. Both have received high praise here and both are queens of Gothic country. But Rachel Brook’s approach was definitely more underground as the former drummer in a punk band that brought a DIY attitude to her music.
October 27, 2020 @ 3:22 pm
thank you for taking the time to write. sounds like her approach was a little sarah shook-y
October 26, 2020 @ 3:49 pm
I like it
October 26, 2020 @ 4:30 pm
This is probably gonna be my personal pick for album of the year. I’ve been a serious fan since “A Bitter Harvest” but this really floored me and my wife who seldom likes female country
October 26, 2020 @ 7:20 pm
This is the best record I’ve purchased in a long time. All the songs are really good! The title track is my favorite.. it reminds me of a classic country western song
October 27, 2020 @ 9:26 am
I would say this is my album of the year so far. She keeps getting better with every album she releases. I wish it didn’t take eight years for this one, but it was worth the wait. Definitely the Queen of Underground Country.
October 27, 2020 @ 10:41 am
I found out about Rachel with “A Killer’s Dream” and then discovered her earlier works with Lonesome Wyatt. Her growth has been amazing and she only gets better. Hopefully she doesnt wait 8 years for her follow up.
October 28, 2020 @ 4:11 pm
finally listened, and it didn’t hit me between the eyes. i don’t deny her talent, but she did not have that x factor for me. cigarettes and truck stops got me immediately, shook’s “dwight yokum” made me want to go deeper into her stuff. i will keep listening, find more by Rachel Brooke and not write her off based on two songs, but to me she is not the queen of anything. Duchess or Baroness maybe
October 28, 2020 @ 6:18 pm
Why is this a competition? If you don’t think Rachel Brook’s music is that great, I respect that. But the reason I call her the “Queen of Underground Country” is because she was there when underground country was being formed, and contributing greatly, and more than any other woman. I have been a strong champion of both Lindi Ortega, and Sarah Shook over the years. Nobody is slighting either of those artists. It’s simply acknowledging Rachel Brooke’s contributions to a scene of music.
October 29, 2020 @ 1:11 pm
i guess i am surprised at the level of praise being thrown at her, and my lack of connection. it feels like everyone is seeing something that i am completely oblivious to. everyone is walking around saying the sky is blue, and i see green. i have to find some time, and educate myself to her and her contributions to music as well as get a better understanding of this scene she added to.
as a start, it sounds like i need to go down the rabbit hole on what exactly underground country is so i can participate in this better. thank you for reviewing this and starting the conversation.
October 28, 2020 @ 5:30 pm
Ordered the record, cant wait to get it. I saw her at a small pizza place in my hometown like 10 years ago. One of the best shows I ever went to. Very small, like 35 people there. She put on a great show. Got to talk to her afterwards. a music highlight
October 28, 2020 @ 7:03 pm
Wow. I listened after seeing your article and I’m blown away at these songs. The lyrics are some of the best I’ve heard in a country song in decades! She is putting the men to shame.
Queen or not, She should be at the forefront of this movement of saving country music. Album of the year for me. Hands down.
October 29, 2020 @ 12:36 pm
This is cool, ???????????? You mentioned projects where she was more goth, what would those be? I love goth!
October 29, 2020 @ 12:40 pm
Check out her records with Lonesome Wyatt, 2015’s “Bad Omen” and 2009’s “A Bitter Harvest.”
October 29, 2020 @ 12:50 pm
Thanks!
October 31, 2020 @ 1:48 pm
Thanks for the review, Trig! I know you’re a long-time fan of Rachel’s and you’re the one that turned me onto her in the first place (like most of the music I listen to!)
I’m not a huge fan of contemporary female country vocalists, however I love Rachel and I love Tami Neilson.
This album sounds great, definitely ordering it!
(I know she’s been blonde for ages now, but I still do a double take when I see photos of her, cos she looks so different!)