1,000 Years

he new record began with the same surprise turn that started Corin Tucker's career back in 1991, ended Sleater-Kinney's 11-year year run in 2006 and inspired the punk-feminist rocker to redefine herself as a stay-at-home mom. It was early 2009, and Tucker was performing at a benefit show in her hometown of Portland, OR airing out a couple of new songs. Another benefit -- and another pair of unheard tunes -- followed a few weeks later. The reaction from friends, fans and perfect strangers was unanimous. Everyone was saying, Oh, it'd be cool if you made a record Tucker recalls. So I thought, Yeah! I should! Cue the wrenching rhythms and hard-angle melodies, the slashing guitars and wildly passionate vocals. Only now the hard edges come nestled in lush weaves of acoustic guitars, keyboards,interlocking percussion, even cellos and violins, which places 1,000 Years deep into Tucker's creative headwaters -- another addition to her 20-year catalogue of restless songs for restless spirits.