Trouble and Strife is a 2020 studio album by American singer-songwriter Joan Osborne. The album has received positive reviews for critics with the music blending varieties of genres and interweaving political and personal themes in the lyrics.
Recording and release.
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I needed to respond to this moment in our country’s history. I’m a citizen and I can do a lot of things that any other citizen could do, but I’m also somebody who makes music and there’s something about the power of music that I think can be very useful to us in this moment. I felt like it was part of my responsibility as someone who can do something, who has a platform, who has a certain amount of privilege. I need to use that in order to try to create some kind of positive change…
—Osborne on the impetus for writing new material for "Trouble and Strife"
"Trouble and Strife" is a collection of new material from Osborne, who had previously released two albums of covers ("Bring It on Home" in 2012 and "Songs of Bob Dylan" in 2017) as well as a concept album that took several years to complete (2014's "Love and Hate"). The singer decided to go to the studio to make a new album, but only decided days before the sessions started that it would be made up of new material rather than covers. She ultimately decided to showcase her songwriting skills and perform original work that touches on larger political themes or social issues such as gender non-conformity and immigration, but which she considers very personal.
Reception.
The editors of AllMusic Guide scored "Trouble and Strife" four out of five stars, with reviewer Mark Deming praising Osborne's ability to shift genres and at "every turn she sounds assured and fully in charge, as if she was born to sing it all". In "American Songwriter", Lee Zimmerman gave "Trouble and Strife" four out of five stars for performing "soulful grooves" that "tackl[e] tough subjects that are solidly in sync with the nation’s turmoil and tension, polarized politics and continuing cultural divide". Jeff Tamarkin of "Relix" also praised the singer's ability to shift genres while "tying her 10 diverse new tunes together with a sense of purpose and single-mindedness". In "Glide Magazine", John Moore praised Osborne for mixing the poignant and the political, calling this the "most politically minded album of her career". David Cheal of "The Financial Times" rated "Trouble and Strife" four out of five stars, noting Osborne's history of activism, which "brings a different kind of spirit to a genre [rock music] that is more conventionally devoted to pursuits such as drinking and partying".
Track listing.
All songs written by Joan Osborne, except where noted
References.
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