Featuring Eleventh Dream Day drummer Janet Bean and her songwriting foil, Catherine Irwin, 1990s and 2000s Chicago country ensemble Freakwater has a considerably more traditional and reverential approach to roots music than one would expect from a band with such an indie-rock pedigree. And while the alt-country label is appropriate, Freakwater's dusty, aching songs of heartache and sorrow--replete with Bean and Irwin's vintage harmonies--are as removed from the rave-up cow punk of neo-traditionalist hipsters as they are from Music Row. Though its sound may be familiar to a variety of listeners, Freakwater is on its own humble, singular mission.