Maria Taylor - '11:11' (Saddle Creek)
4/5
By: Lauren Gallagher
It is a rare quality to echo grounded earthiness and ethereal airiness simultaneously, let alone sincerely. These traits come so naturally to Maria Taylor however, that her talent might breeze past non-listening ears who take this genuine voice for granted.
Azure Ray's leading lady has released a gently hypnotic album on the hugely successful DIY label Saddle Creek. Ms. Taylor is in good company, and '11:11' can sit comfortably next to Rilo Kiley or Bright Eyes, although it's not revolutionary enough to send her label-mates into oblivion.
'11:11' is a coaster. Maria's voice sails over atmospherics, wafts above acoustic strumming, or teases with unyielding knowingness. 'Xanax' manages both earth and sky in one song, with her velvety vocals pouring out her heart, while minimalist Interpol guitar ascends to lofty heights. Throaty realism is at its catchiest in 'Song Beneath The Song', where the pulsating rhythm of the chorus will find itself in your head again, and again. Here, this is welcome. Thick electro beats and Spanish guitar take an odd pairing, but Ms. Taylor marries the two with her well-cadenced sighs and determined lyrics in 'One For The Shareholder'.
Gentle, without being insipid. Well done, Ms. Taylor.
Artists in this article: Maria Taylor
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