The Duel (2004) Orphaned as a 14-year-old by her parents' murder-suicide, the liquid-voiced Allison Moorer has long parsed the fine print of heaven and hell. On the title… Allison Moorer Country
Music Review

The Duel (2004)

Allison Moorer
Reviewed by Alanna Nash | Apr 16, 2004
Allison Moorer | REDEMPTION SONGS Moorer gives voice to down-and-out characters struggling to find a note of grace
Image credit: Allison Moorer: Marina Chavez
REDEMPTION SONGS Moorer gives voice to down-and-out characters struggling to find a note of grace
EW's GRADE
B+

Details Release Date: Apr 13, 2004; Lead Performance: Allison Moorer; Genre: Country

Orphaned as a 14-year-old by her parents' murder-suicide, the liquid-voiced Allison Moorer has long parsed the fine print of heaven and hell. On the title song of The Duel, her jagged, Neil Young-influenced new album, a disconsolate woman stands at a grave site and squares off against the Almighty. Though Moorer's haunting characters delay the inevitable by juggling booze and pills, their struggle ends with redemption: They, and Moorer, get right with God after all.

Originally posted Apr 16, 2004 Published in issue #760 Apr 16, 2004 Order article reprints