Nicki Bluhm comes across as a modern country troubadour who’s been schooled in traditional trappings. Her easygoing demeanor blends contemporary attitude with down-home distinction. With hubby Tim Bluhm (of The Mother Hips) and her band The Gramblers in tow, Bluhm takes her inspiration from both Bakersfield and the backwoods, singing songs about hard-living women and eager party gals, while rarely discerning any difference between the two. Loved Wild Lost also finds a fair amount of twang stirred into the brew, particularly on tracks like “Simpler Times,” “Only Always” and “Love Your Loved Ones,” and indeed, every song offers some variation of a homespun design. There’s also a certain reverence at work here, as evidenced on the album’s gospel-flavored send-off, “Heavy Hey Ya.” Sweet, sassy and celebratory, Loved Wild Lost captures Bluhm at her best.