Much like Neko Case's Blacklisted and Lucinda Williams' Happy Woman Blues, Carrying Lightning is the work of an artist gaining control of her considerable talents and funneling them into a cohesive whole. From playing fiddle in the Texas Playboys at the precocious age of 15 to playing with Gwyneth Paltrow in Country Strong just this year, Shires displays the kind of talent that has garnered her praise and support from artists like Justin Townes Earle, DeVotchKa and Jason Isbell.