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Sarah Morris - Hearts in Need of Repair (2017)



OFFICIAL: www.sarahmorrismusic.com
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/sarahmorris10

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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