By Ken Paulson
— Dar Williams on her new album In the Time of Gods: “I thought why don’t I really freak out my record company and make a whole album about Greek mythology?”
Note to Dar: This has a similar effect on music writers.
In the Time of Gods works on a couple of levels, the first being the Parthenon-inspired adventure that Dar Williams apparently intended. For those who prefer to listen without Cliff Notes, though, the songs largely stand on their own, making this one more smart, thought-provoking and melodic album from a woman who has made a practice of delivering exactly that.
“Write This Number Down” is a highlight, a spirited song that reminds us that seeking justice is not a solitary endeavor, and there are many who will provide support. In its way, it’s an update of “If I Had a Hammer,” or more precisely “We All Have Hammers.”
“I Have Been Around the World” is a touching affirmation of family and our relationship with loved ones, while “Summer Child” is the album’s slice of pop, a buoyant celebration of the season, destined to be a staple in Williams’ set list.
Not so buoyant is “Crystal Creek,” a gorgeous arrangement married to a chilling narration. It turns out that protecting the forest is dirty work. The grisly end here could segue into John Prine’s “Lake Marie.”
In the Time of Gods is not Williams’ most accessible work, but it may be her most ambitious.
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