Pageant Material [LP]

by Kacey Musgraves

Overview

If Kacey Musgraves didn't possess a sense of irony, there'd be a sense of triumph to Pageant Material, the title of her second album. Her first, 2013's Same Trailer Different Park, caused a sensation in certain quarters, racking up accolades that outweighed its sales -- a situation reflecting country radio's systematic resistance to female artists more than the music itself. Despite this conspicuous lack of hits, Pageant Material doesn't make concessions to commercial radio. It is of a piece with Same Trailer Different Park, partially because a chunk of it was written around the same time, partially because Musgraves decides to move forward by harnessing the subtlety of "Merry Go 'Round" and "Follow Your Arrow," using their understated folk as a touchstone for her sophomore set. Despite the briskness of the near-novelty "Biscuits" -- its chorus call of "Mind your own biscuits and life will be gravy" revealing a taste for country corn somewhat at odds with a progressive reputation based on the all-inclusive "Follow Your Arrow," not to mention her fondness for weed (a predilection that resurfaces elsewhere here) -- Pageant Material favors softness, sometimes nearly swooning in its slowness, especially on the gorgeous keynote "High Time" and the closer "Fine," both so deliberate and hazy they evoke memories of lazy high-school dances. This lush sound is old-fashioned but, despite her stated rebellion and taste for weed, much of Musgraves' sensibility is fairly traditional. She and her collaborators -- usually co-producers Shane McAnally and Luke Laird, but Brandy Clark, Josh Osborne, and Natalie Hemby also bear credits -- concentrate on sculpting songs, tunes so subtle they benefit from the pretty, shaded production. Not all of Pageant Material sustains this delicately textured blend of song and sounds -- apart from "Biscuits," she stumbles when she gets lighter, particularly on "Family Is Family," where it seems like she can't wait to be rid of those leeches -- but it's hardly enough to prevent the album from being a rich, enchanting collection of stories, confessions, and the occasional joke. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	07/10/2015
Label:	Mercury Nashville
UPC:	0602547316271

Tracks

1. High Time
2. Dime Store Cowgirl
3. Late to the Party
4. Pageant Material
5. This Town
6. Biscuits
7. Somebody to Love
8. Miserable
9. Die Fun
10. Family Is Family
11. Good Ol¿¿¿ Boys Club
12. Cup of Tea
13. Fine

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Kacey Musgraves   Primary Artist,Vocals,Whistle (Human),Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)
Natalie Hemby   Vocals (Background)
Ian Fitchuk   Harp,Bells,Piano,Mellotron,Wurlitzer
Kristin Wilkinson   Viola
David Davidson   Violin
Shane McAnally   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Lindsay Smith-Trostle   Cello
Karen Winkelmann   Violin
David Angell   Violin
Willie Nelson   Vocals
Monisa Angell   Viola
Fred Eltringham   Bells,Drums,Shaker,Percussion,Tambourine
Josh Osborne   Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)
Zeneba Bowers   Violin
Charlie Worsham   Banjo,Ukulele,Guitar (Acoustic)
Luke Laird   Vocals,Tambourine,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Gut String Guitar
Zach Casebolt   Violin
Wei Tsun Chang   Violin
Jordan Lehning   Conductor
Kyle Ryan   Banjo,Vocals,Wood Spoons,Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Adam Keafer   Bass,Bass (Upright)
Anthony La Marchina   Cello
Katelyn Westergard   Violin
Misa Arriaga   Shaker,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Baritone),Gut String Guitar,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Natalie Hemby   Composer
Shane McAnally   Composer,Producer
Stephanie Wright   A&R
Buddy Emmons   Composer
Willie Nelson   Composer
Andrew Mendelson   Mastering
Josh Osborne   Composer
Brandy Clark   Composer
Ashley Arrison   Composer
Karen Naff   Design
Ryan Gore   Mixing,Engineer
Kacey Musgraves   Composer,Producer
Luke Laird   Composer,Producer,Programming
Jordan Lehning   String Arrangements
Jarod Snowden   Editing
Kelsey Granda   Production Coordination
Gena Johnson   Assistant Engineer
Kelly Christine Sutton   Design,Photography,Art Direction