Kasey Chambers

What does it say that one of the most traditional-sounding Americana discs this year comes from a 24-year-old Australian — on a major label, no less? When Kasey Chambers sings about a “Southern Kind of Life,” she’s not evoking Nashville or Mississippi; she’s reminiscing about growing up in the most remote part of south Australia.

Yet there’s nothing on The Captain that would indicate Chambers isn’t from south of the Mason-Dixon line (and north of the equator). Her voice, seemingly as American as that of Nanci Griffith or Iris DeMent, carries that same kind of vulnerability. From the radio-ready “Cry Like a Baby” to the old-time “Last Hard Bible,” her songs never come across as if she were “doing” twang. The fact that her brother plays bass and her father, Bill, coughs up the gritty guitar solos makes this one of the most unlikely Nashville debuts ever.

On “Cry,” Chambers sings Well, I’m not much like my generation/Their music only hurts my ears, and she’s not kidding. She closes her album with the Dylan-ishly cynical “We’re All Gonna Die Someday,” and by the time that tune ends, Kasey Chambers clearly has a new home.