Catherine Irwin's second solo album is a showcase for her considerable writing skills both musically and lyrically as well as her singular performance style. Little Heater combines raw and unadorned vocals with lush countrypolitan-style productions: gorgeous string sections, pedal steel guitar and dense layers of vocal harmonies. Lyrics follow the themes of old-time music -- loss, despair, self-destruction and delusion -- but the references and turns of phrase are entirely modern and entirely Catherine's. As she did on 2002's spare and haunting Cut Yourself a Switch, or as she has done as the primary songwriter in Freakwater, Catherine aims her laser wit into the dark corners of the human condition.

Little Heater was recorded and produced by Tara Jane ONeil (Rodan, Ida) in Woodstock, New York in September 2011. The acoustic instruments and vocals were captured with meticulous attention to detail, resulting in a sound that is relaxed, organic and immediate. Shimmering electric guitars and high-lonesome pedal steel wash over Catherine's voice while heartbeat steady bass drum drifts in from the next room. Lush and atmospheric, not unlike the way it sounds when you are alone and crying down at the bottom of a well. Tara plays drums and numerous other instruments. She also lends her voice to "Sinner Saves a Saint", a duet written by the late, great cartoonist John Callahan. Elizabeth Mitchell, Daniel Littleton and Jean Cook -- all members of Ida -- lend their considerable vocal and instrumental talents. Rounding out the guest contributions, Marc Orleans lays down some classic pedal steel solos and Bonnie Prince Billy offers up his keening vocals on a few tracks, gently complimenting Catherine's southern gothic tales.