Blog: PopMatters

If past albums were about getting knocked down, this one focuses more on the getting up, the pressing on. The narrators feel stronger here and, as a result, so does Nadler's voice. Companion albums are tricky things, since they -- by definition -- don't really allow themselves to stand on their own. This is particularly difficult when the first record, the "original" document, is so strong. So it is with Marissa Nadler, who released an eponymous record last year that was the best yet in her ever-improving discography. The Sister follows as a brief companion piece comprising eight songs [...]