| CD Review: 26 Miles - Sean Watkins | |
|
Reviewed by Jennifer Webb
What is prevalent throughout Sean Watkins sophomore solo album is the fact that he has a whole other side to him besides the bluegrassy styles of Nickel Creek. Even when compared to first album, "Let It Fall," "26 Miles" is completely different in that Sean sings every song unlike how every song but one on the previous album was completely instrumental.
"On Ice" is a mid tempo song that talks about fragile feelings how he feels like he is "walking on ice" after experiencing a breakup of the relationship he thought would last forever. As he keeps thinking about the past he finally finds the faults and reasons once he second-guesses everything.
Many times a person will write letters that express true and real emotions, yet they never send them as illustrated in "Letters Never Sent." In one instance the letter could contain words of forgiveness or even love - words of which could make the recipient and sender both feel better about themselves so you have to take a chance on letting others know what you feel, because more than likely things will turn out nicely. If they do not, you can at least take pride in the fact that you stood up for yourself and let your feelings be known.
One of a few instrumentals, "N.M.I." takes on more of a jazzy feel with the prominent sax blended in with sister Sara Watkins' fiddle playing. "Creeping Beauty" is another instrumental that solely features Sean's wonderful guitar playing with a little bit of Bob Magnusen playing the bass.
"Through The Spring" is a little bit rough sounding because it is a demo, but that is what adds a lot of character to the tune - there is no "slick" sounding production. Once springtime came upon the couple, the seemingly perfect girlfriend turned into the exact opposite, and so Sean sings about how she was never really there - "Why should I care, she was never really there, a phantom girl."
While listening to title track, "26 Miles," I heard something I never would have expected - sampling. Surprisingly enough, though, it really does fit in quite well despite the fact that Sean said in the liner notes: "Don't worry, the loop is supposed to sound bad." The song itself is about dealing with nerves and trying to get the courage to jump in headfirst and talk to a particular girl.
Sean wrote all of the thirteen tracks and he produced the album as well so the listener really gets a feel for what his music is all about. If you are expecting a direct spin-off of the Nickel Creek music with fiddles and mandolins and banjos, don't, because what you hear on 26 Miles is something completely different. There is a jazzy/folksy/easy listening feel to the album that does Sean's voice justice and it is a down right pleasure to listen to it.
Song List:
Sound clips courtesy of Barnes & Noble
Album cover, used with permission of Sugar Hill.
Click on the button below to find the best price for this CD and purchase it from a retailer on the Internet.
