Hearts In Mind

iTunes Review

A reflective work even by her standards, Nanci Griffith’s Hearts In Mind (co-produced by Nanci with Pat McInerney) ponders issues of war, peace and love from a serious perspective. Many of its songs — written by Griffith and an assortment of band mates and old friends — touch upon the events of 9/11 and the Iraq War, as well as Griffith’s recent journey to Vietnam. Out of the latter experience come “Heart of Indochine” and “Old Hanoi,” a pair of impressionistic pieces set to atmospheric jazz-folk arrangements. Griffith’s commentaries on human conflict range from gentle prayers (“Simple Life”) to outraged anthems (“Big Blue Ball of War”). Tracks like “Before” (an elegy to lost idealism) and “Our Very Own” (a toast to maturity sung with Keith Carradine) take on more subtle themes. There are playful moments here as well, most notably the wry “I Love This Town” (a duet with Jimmy Buffett) and the feisty, Tex-Mex-accented “Last Train Home.” “Beautiful,” a loving tribute to Griffith’s stepfather, may be the album’s most affecting song.