INDIGO GIRLS AT TOP OF THEIR GAME WITH POSEIDON AND THE BITTER BUG

Two decades after the launch of their career with their independently released debut album, 1987's Strange Fire, and another 10 major-label studio albums later, Emily Saliers and Amy Ray, a.k.a. the Indigo Girls, are coming full circle with the independent release of their new 2-CD album, Poseidon And The Bitter Bug.

Says Ray, "I feel a great sense of freedom in finally being rid of the major-label world."  It's been a burden for a while for me.  I felt an honesty and sincerity in making Poseidon, because I fully believe in independence."  Saliers says, "It feels liberating and centering, even in the midst of change."

Recorded in a whirlwind three week session, the Girls wanted to keep a sense of spontaneity and discovery to the process. And it's the songwriting that shines on Poseidon, with the duo exploring new approaches to melody, harmonics and rhythm, especially on Saliers' "Digging For Your Dream," which she says is "as close to R&B as I've ever gotten," and Ray's "Sugar Tongue," a fevered meditation on colonialism that finds her experimenting with her higher vocal range to capture an innocence not commonly displayed by the fiery rocker.

Included with Poseidon is a second CD that features acoustic versions of all the songs, plus a bonus track, "Salty South."  It's a chance for listeners to hear stripped down, organic versions of the songs - just the Girls in a room with a few mics - before the arrangements changed with the addition of the band.

Poseidon And The Bitter Bug is the work of career artists at the top of their artistic game.  It affirms the Indigo Girls' position not only as musical icons but as artists who continue to live up to the high standards they've set for themselves.

Distributed through Vanguard Records, the Poseidon And The Bitter Bug releases on 3/24 but is available for pre-order now.  Look for a spring and summer 2009 tour.

FREE SONG DOWNLOAD AT vangaurdrecords.com/igdownload.