BLOGTOBER 2009: Music Reviews (12 of 22) MeShell NdegeOcello, Devil's Halo

Above, a recent interview with the greatest bassist alive, in support of her latest, Devil's Halo.

This is MeShell in pissed off bitter mood, like her album from a decade ago, the aptly titled Bitter.

Like on that album, these songs provide equal doses of sadness, bitterness, and beauty. It's not a concoction for everyone, nor is it the kind of album you're going to throw on at a party or make a part of your workout mix.

What you do have is amazing musicianship, well crafted grooves, and silky vocals.

It's easy to run out of superlatives when trying to describe how incredibly well she does what she does, and how raw and open she is in her songwriting and vocal performances. There's nobody else like her.

Yet, that doesn't mean I expect everyone to download this album, it's challenging stuff, and people use music in their lives for a variety of personal reasons. So you may be turned off by all the things that I find so amazing.