Loretta Lynn has been a forgotten legend for quite some time now. These days she's pretty much only remembered for her hit song "Coal Miner's Daughter," and the autobiographical movie of the same name which won an Academy award for Sissy Spacek for her portrayal as backwoods gal turned superstar. Van Lear Rose should and will change all of that. Just as Rick Rubin took Johnny Cash under his wing and helped him to make the American Recordings albums in the 90's, and attract a new generation worth of listeners, Jack White of the White Stripes will undoubtedly do the same for Lynn in this decade. White's production in the past for other artists has been spotty at best. It's ranged from brilliant (The Von Bondies) to downright dreadful (Whirlwind Heat). But here White's production for Lynn is a different story all together. This isn't just another Detroit garage band he's producing, this is work he's doing for a woman he dedicated his album White Blood Cells to, and covered one of her songs (Rated X) as a B side. White treats Van Lear Rose as he should, with humility and grace.

Van Lear Rose is only the third album in 15 years that Lynn has recorded, but Lynn doesn't sound in the least bit rusty. If anything she sounds completely invigorated and excited to be working with a crew that actually treats her like the legend she is. Credit White for also motivating her to release the first album in her career where she wrote every song herself. Lynn's subject matter ranges from heartfelt stories her daddy told her about her momma on the self titled track, to absolutely heartbreaking tales of whores breaking up family on one of the most powerful tracks "Family Tree." The way she can blend double meanings between communication and relationships on "Trouble on the Line" can be smile or tear inducing at the same time, but the real tearjerker on the album belongs to the song "Miss Being Mrs." where Lynn breaks down about her recently deceased husband. When singing "My reflection in the mirror, it's such a hurtful sight/ oh I miss being Mrs. tonight," This is a moment of total naked honesty that offers genuine pain and personal anguish and makes the listener into a voyeur. The absolute highlight on Van Lear Rose however is the duet between Lynn and White on the slide guitar blues stomp "Portland Oregon." Listening to two different generations coming together in such a powerful way is an absolute joy.

Van Lear Rose is definitely Lynn's strongest showing since Louisiana Woman and a Mississippi Man, her 1973 collaboration with Conway Twitty, and taking into account that every one of the songs on Van Lear Rose is her own, one has to consider this to be her greatest accomplishment ever. Don't call it a comeback, call it a crowning achievement. Van Lear Rose is the album to beat in 2004.