Griffin's ablaze with hot new recording

Or maybe they were just scared off by all the amps and feedback.

That's not all you might find on Griffin's follow-up "Flaming Red," as the album is chock-full of diverse rock nuts, from the kicking and screaming of the title track, to the sensitive balladry of the album-closing "Peter Pan."

Alternately urban-chic (dabbling in electronic beats, which often seem out of place) and country-fried (trying an accordion and slide guitar on for size), "Flaming Red" remains coherent through Griffin's pop sensibility and compelling, story-driven songs.

Patty Griffin
Flaming Red A&M Records 3 stars Reviewed by Daily Arts Writer Bryan Lark

Songs such as the kooky teenage suicide tale "Tony" and the gorgeous sympathy-for-the-poor-little-rich-Onassis-girl ditty "Christina," exemplify Griffin's talents as a storyteller unrecognized by VH1.

But Griffin also has a talent for letting down her hair and, as she reminds you on the lazy, catchy "One Big Love," she rarely forgets the lawn chair.

Griffin, the formerly furious folkie, actually relaxes enough to seduce you on numbers like the breathy torch song "Go Now."

Plugged-in and turned-out, the new Patty Griffin and her "Flaming Red" have crafted a solid pop/rock foundation to build a bigger career upon. She's no longer living with her ghosts, she's set them ablaze and danced on their ashes.

09-09-98