Jukebox

Released in 2008, Jukebox serves as a spiritual successor to 2000's The Covers Record, but with a drastically different sonic palette. Backed by the Dirty Delta Blues band - featuring members of the Dirty Three, Blues Explosion, and Chavez - Marshall moves away from the solo piano/guitar minimalism that defined her early career. The album is characterized by a lush, professional production that emphasizes her growth as a vocalist; her delivery is more controlled and 'crooner' influenced than ever before. While mostly comprised of covers ranging from Frank Sinatra to Hank Williams, the inclusion of 'Song to Bobby' (a tribute to Dylan) and a radical reworking of her own 'Metal Heart' provides a narrative anchor. Critics from AllMusic and BBC Music praised the album for its cohesive mood and Marshall's ability to deconstruct and rebuild familiar melodies into something unrecognizable and hauntingly modern.