Ellen Foley brings it all back with 'About Time'

It would stand to reason that Ellen Foley would regret naming her most recent album About Time: The record marks the first studio release for the vocalist in more than 30 years, and the critics can't get enough of the fact. The joke repeated in nearly every story written about the album suggests, tongue-in-cheek, that it's "about time" Foley got around to releasing new music.

She's no stranger to irrelevant repetition. Search Foley's name out online and the first thing you'll learn is that she's the female vocalist featured on Meat Loaf's epic track "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" from 1977, or that the Clash track "Should I Stay or Should I Go" was supposedly written by Mick Jones about the pair's rocky relationship (the guitarist denies it). Foley has to receive credit for her own work at some point, and that point may be About Time.

The 12-track compilation takes parts of what critics call "Americana," or what Foley tells Music Times she interprets as just a "rock 'n' roll record." About Time was never meant to be a snipe at the 30 years she spent between albums (working heavily in theatre and television during that time). It's a commentary on those 30 years and the decades that came before that as well. It's a series of tales relating a life experienced, sung in a strong voice by the one who experienced it (with backing from honest rock 'n' roll guitars, of course).

Foley joins Music Times here to discuss the creation of About Time, her continued faith in Carmelo Anthony, and to share a Midwest Moment with host Caitlin Carter as they reflect on Catholic school in their mutual hometown of St. Louis. Listen above, or download this week's Music Times Meets for a distraction from your commute.

Nothing's set in stone yet, but Foley promises that songs are being crafted for a follow-up, and it will come much sooner than 30 years from now. She's keeping her acting career in check as well, starring in the film 'Lies I Told My Little Sister,' which made its debut at the Gasparilla Film Festival in March.