Grown-up girls.

Despite Our Differences * Indigo Girls * Hollywood

"Plenty of revolutions left until we get this I thing right." So sings unwearied Indigo Girl Emily Saliers in this disc's first cut, "Pendulum Swinger," an unadulterated feminist call to arms replete with a radiant chorus: "She is." Therein lies the continued relevance of Saliers and her musical partner, Amy Ray, after 20 years of recording. In that time their indestructible idealism, tucked inside their signature folk-pop, has rejuvenated progressive, gay, and female audiophiles seeking refuge from a socially and politically alienating culture.

Save for cameo vocals by Pink on Rays punk-pop tune "Rock and Roll Heaven's Gate," there are no stylistic surprises on this 10th set, just the same dedication to harmonies so intuitive that by now they're almost a third member of the band. The Girls, now in their early 40s, engage in backward glances and self-assessment here, most poignantly on "Lay My Head Down," in which Saliers sings about being ensnared at some insufferable shindig: "Everyone's tied to their thing to their past, to their drink, or the date that they bring.... / I want to lay my head down on you." Listeners will find similar contentment with this tender, oak-sturdy release.