Written by Larry Robertson, posted by blog admin
Hailing
from Minnesota, Sarah Morris’ music sounds like it came straight from the heart
of Nashville on her 3rd outing Hearts
in Need of Repair; the follow-up to her solid sophomore LP, Ordinary Things. A gifted singer and composer is what can be
heard across the album’s 11 delicious tracks and the simultaneously
acoustic/electric sonic manipulation gives birth to tracks with unique multiple
personality disorder (from rocking grooves to calm, melodic numbers).
Getting
things started off with a loping acoustic groove and soft 60s folk touches the
album’s title track piles on layered guitar motifs and a rousing lead vocal
that’s absolutely trembles with authentic, edgy melody. Keeping the atmosphere married to acoustic
tunefulness “Good at Goodbye” trades the contemplative folk nuances for
galloping, full-throttle country with galloping beats and bristling slide
guitar that mingles with the powerful bass lines and plucky lead guitar
grandeur. “Cheap Perfume” also
incorporates these same influences but sways back and forth between country
swagger and a bleaker, sullen blues style that shows off Morris’ lower range
and the band’s ability to shift gears on a dime drop. “Helium” is the polar opposite; an airy bit
of folk with finger-picked acoustic guitar embracing a slower tempo and the
rhythm section stepping out of a lead role and delegating itself to ambient
brushstrokes of sound.
A
thumping, tom-laden drum push, meticulously placed electric/acoustic fluctuations,
a touch of dobro and multifaceted vocals from high to low range come together
to pack a wallop on the album’s first single “Falling Over.” It’s a no brainer why this tune was chosen to
introduce the album to the masses. The
roughhewn riffage and oil slick rhythms of “Course Correction” season Morris
and her band’s alchemical aural mixtures with primal rock muscle. There are plenty of dips into acoustic,
melodic goodness to keep the listener constantly engaged.
Dialing
down the mood to moonlit, midnight tenderness “Empty Seat” is a touching
acoustic ballad that pushes the folk influences back to the front and center
position. An equally balanced equation
of blues, brooding country and heavy rock yields “Shelter or the Storm” a
moody, rainy aura that comes straight from the gut…all impact with no wind-up
needed for the kind of musical haymakers the entire group is throwing. This track features one of Morris’ toughest,
agilest performances on the entire record.
The
drizzling acoustic cascades, light electric guitar shading and textured vocal
melodies of “Nothing Compares” is a seamless difference split between country
twang and intoxicating folk that shines brightly because of its many harmonic
transitions. There’s always something
new happening to keep your ears hooked in.
“On a Stone” follows a similar format, leading up to the drama rich
closer, “Confetti” that peddles soft acoustic guitars, steel slide licks and
smooth vocals. It’s an epic number that
sends the album riding off into the sunset.
Sarah
Morris and her compadres let it all hang out on Hearts in Need of Repair.
The end result is as gritty and crunchy as it is soothing and
melodic. With nary a dip in the
songwriting quality and a ton of varied arrangements and auxiliary
instrumentation, this album just oozes atmosphere from every pore. Real deal music fans should have a field day
with this release.
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