Three years after the experimental and not-always-successful Come on Now Social, the Indigo Girls return to a more traditional framework with the acoustic-based Become You. A deft melding of folk, rock, and pop--and laced with Latin and soul around the edges--Become You gets to the heart of what Amy Ray (the rocking half) and Emily Saliers (the gentler half) do best: chronicle the complexities of love and socio-sexual politics from a feminist viewpoint. While the seductive and full-bodied melodies leave plenty of expanse for the duo's gauzy, hand-in-glove harmonies, the majority of the repertoire here carries an undercurrent of dissatisfaction and anxiety, whether about the outcome of a rocky love affair ("Moment of Forgiveness"), the still-extant racism in the South ("Become You"), or the ultimate fate of the Mexican women who fight for change with the Zapatistas ("Nuevas Senoritas"). Poignant, thought provoking, and beautifully crafted, with rapt attention to the interplay of instruments as well as voices, Become You finds Ray and Saliers back in top form and as relevant in 2002 as at the start of their 15-year career. --Alanna Nash

For "Become You" the Indigo Girls somewhat take a step back into a more stripped down, folk based approach similar to when they first started out. The songs are mainly acoustic in nature, with the subject matter based more on relationships than politics. Personally I like it when the girls rock out a bit more, so although I like this album, it is not one of my favorites by them. That is not to say that there are not some good songs. "Deconstruction", "Become You", "Yield", and "Starkville" are all very good. The rest of the album is decent, although much of it finds the girls treading musical ground that they have done before. Fans seem to have mixed reactions to this one, and I can understand why. If you are more of a folk purist and enjoy more personal relationship based songs this album is probably right up your alley. If you like it when the girls expand themselves a bit this one may not do as much for you. I am in the latter category and find "Become You" to be a rather average Indigo Girls release.

I have been a long-time Indigo Girls fan, but after my purchase of "Come on now Social" in 1999, I was very dissapointed. I almost didnt buy "Become You" because of it but boy, am I glad I did! It is second only to "Swamp Ophelia" in my opinion, and I am so impressed by Amy Ray's songwriting. So, if you weren't crazy about "Come on now Social," dont let that stop you from buying this CD, it's excellent!!

By far, this is my favorite disc since "Swamp Ophelia." I was hooked from the first notes of "Moment of Forgiveness," which remains one of my all time favorites. From the stomping rock of "Bitterroot" (my five year old niece's favorite song!)to the aching loveliness of "She's Saving Me," this is one of their finest collections. Mellow and acoustic-sounding, it is a disc I can listen to repeatedly and never tire of it. You'll find your standard balance of Amy ("Yield", "Bitterroot") and Emily ("Hope Alone," "Collecting You")here; all worth a listen. This disc is in my top 5 must have Indigo Girls albums - a real gem!

Although I agree with the other reviewers that this album lacks the edge of the Indigo Girls' other works, it is by far my favorite because of the mood it captures. Like "Indians, Nomads, and Saints," we feel as though these songs were written in a specific place/location, one that meant something to the singers. A combination of the dust of the desert, old motel, abandoned town, piercing stars, and expanse of the horizon; while this setting is stark, it is the people who pass through that give it color. Hands down, my favorite album of theirs.

The Indigo Girls have made another great album. The mood of this album is a bit more quiet than on most of their earlier albums. No rockers this time. But the songs are great as usual.

Amy Ray has really grown as a songwriter. Most of her contributions to this album are very strong. "Moment of Forgiveness", "Become You" and "Nuevas Senoritas" are among her greatest songs ever. "Starkville" is also a great song. Amy was the rawer half of the duo; she still is, but her songwriting has really matured with this album.

Emily Saliers` songs are top-notch as usual. 3 great ballads this time; "Deconstruction", "Hope Alone" ( in the same vein as "Southlands in the Springtime") and "Our Deliverance". Emily`s 3 other songs are fine too, of course.

Great production by Peter Collins.