Gretchen Peters, ‘Dancing With the Beast’ (review)

…That theme of resignation, of resolve, is one that recurs often in the female characters that inhabit Beast. Peters always writes with deep sentiment, but always avoids overt sentimentality. It’s an incredibly difficult balance to strike, but one she does with grace and grit — qualities she instills in her characters, as well. The heroines in Peters’ songs may well be victims of certain circumstances, but they are never victims. The women of “Disappearing Act,” “Wichita,” and “Truckstop Angel” all have agency, though it has often been hard-earned. Peters does, as well, in the songs that reflect her own life’s experience, including “The Show” and “Lay Low.” Her affinity for presence, gratitude, and self-care is both her rising and her resistance…

To read this review in its entirety, visit Folk Alley.