Light and frothy has never been Lucinda Williams' way, so it's no surprise that dark subject matter dominates her tenth studio album, Blessed. Williams has an uncanny ability to convey personal tribulations through song. Recently, she's touched on everything from toxic relationships to the passing of a parent. But Blessed is also a mixed bag, juxtaposing the bliss and optimism of Williams' 2009 marriage to Tom Overby with swaggering kiss-offs to former flames, and tunes that mourn both her former manager Frank Callari and her late friend Vic Chesnutt. Arguably one of the few current artists who warrants comparisons to Dylan, this rootsy American queen will share her musical gifts at The Fillmore (1805 Geary Blvd., San Francisco) on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 19-20. 8 p.m., $40. TheFillmore.com

Dave Gil de Rubio

Price: $40