After 2010’s compelling, Gospel-influenced Downtown Church, acclaimed artist Patty Griffin gets back to basics with her newest album American Kid. In this case, basics consist of Griffin returning to her roots in the realm of country and roots music; pedal steel, acoustic guitar and rhythms that effortlessly glide are all the order of the day throughout the record. Griffin’s vocals can be subtle (like on the stunning track Irish Boy) however she can easily hold her own as well as evidenced with Don’t Let Me Die In Florida and the ¾-timed waltz Get Ready Marie.