Singer-songwriter Pegi Young has said, "I m just trying to tell some stories and make music that I can get behind. " That conviction has never rung truer than on her 2011 album, Bracing for Impact. Her third release, and second for Vapor Records, the 11-song disc spotlights Pegi's beautifully spare and resonant vocals, world-weary and eloquent lyricism, and hushed yet immediate emotional landscape. Bracing for Impact features Pegi once again accompanied by her acclaimed recording and touring band, the Survivors: legendary keyboard player Spooner Oldham on piano, bassist Rick Rosas, guitarist Kelvin Holly, and drummer Phil Jones. The album was produced by Pegi Young with the Survivors, with the exception of the final track, "Song for a Baby Girl, " produced by Elliot Mazer. Eight of the album's 11 songs are originals written by Pegi Young, with highlights including "Flatline Mama" featuring a horn section and background vocals from the Watson Twins "No Heart Beats Sound, " and "Trouble in a Bottle. " Neil Young wrote the rollicking "Doghouse, " and contributes background vocals and harmonica as well. Neil is also featured playing electric guitar on "Lie" and "Song for a Baby Girl, " and on harmonica for "Number 9 Train, " written by the late bluesman Tarheel Slim. On "I Don t Want to Talk About It" a song by Crazy Horse's Danny Whitten that first appeared on that group's 1971 album Chandra Wilson delivers additional vocals.