Natalie Merchant's Motherland album (2001) is dedicated to the victims of the 9-11 plane crashes, which occurred just days after recordings were finished.

Experienced producer and artist T. Bone Burnett brings his expertise to the table, which pays off in terms of its aural expression and positioning Merchants songs in one coherent, excellent album. Her voice has deepened and her lyrics are socially conscious and intelligent, as always. Musically, each song stands on its own and fits seamlessly into the collection of tracks that make up Motherland.