Exene Cervenka

Pre-rock musical traditions have always had a place in Exene Cervenka’s musical output, from her work with pioneering L.A. punk act X to the amped-up roadhouse twang of the Original Sinners and The Knitters. In spite of all that, Cervenka didn’t go full-on country until 2009’s Somewhere Gone, and she continues down that dusty road on the new The Excitement Of Maybe. The heartbroken-and-defeated sentiment of the title pervades throughout the album, a document of sunrise hopes and sunset laments, all voiced in the plainspoken harmonies of Cervenka and backing vocalist Cindy Wasserman. Like Cervenka, the turn toward the acoustic and homespun by 7 Seconds leader Kevin Seconds seems less a deviation from than an extension of a long, varied career. 

Updated 03/17/2011