CD Review: Hillary Reynolds Band's 'The Miles Before Us'

Hillary Reynolds Band
The Miles Before Us
Self-Release

The Boston-based, folk quintet, brings us a magnificent album of roots, folk, blues, rock, and pop music with a hearty, Americana vein on The Miles Before Us. The fourteen-track album is full of happy moments, as well as contemplative moods revolving around relationships, family, and personal sacrifices. The vocals are much in-line with some of the top European folk performers, including Heidi Talbot and Karine Polwart. "How" is a rather spacious, folk tune with heartfelt vocals and slow melody. "Looking For A Way Back" begins with a rock guitar opening that merges into an alt-pop and folk vocal medley. This is somewhat like a folksy Evanescence; but better. "Braver Than We Think" starts with a female vocal line that incorporates some swishy percussion and sparkling strings in a folksy arrangement. "Crossing The Line" adds a bluesy edge to the mix, as the folk influence shines through with vocals, strings, and drums. "I Surrender" is an engaging, heady mix of bluesy, folk music that is upbeat and slightly Appalachian in origin. At any rate, the Hillary Reynolds Band knows how to make great songs that do not suffer from any faults or inconsistencies. 5 Stars (out of 5). ~ Matthew Forss    

CD Review: Caroline Herring's 'Camilla'

Caroline Herring
Camilla
Signature Sounds

The Southern folk/blues/pop style of Mississippi-native and Georgia resident, Caroline Herring, is nostalgic, historical, and thought-provoking. The folk repertoire consists of acoustic guitar and vocals by Caroline, as well as Steven Sheehan on acoustic guitar, Fats Kaplin on pedal steel, fiddle, and banjo, Bryan Owings on drums and chains, and Bryn Davies on upright bass. The serene fiddle and sweet vocals on "Black Mountain Lullaby" are especially inviting. Though, the banjo really gets a workout on "Fireflies." The vocals are reminiscent of Mary Chapin Carpenter, Shawn Colvin, Heidi Talbot, and Karine Polwart. The vocal "Traveling Shoes" is void of any instrumentation.  The album art represents an artistic presence of simplistic domesticity and equality issues commonplace in the 1960s. At any rate, the scintillating folk guitar and instrumentation is full of good things. Fans of the aforementioned artists will add Caroline Herring's new release to their collection without any reservations. ~ Matthew Forss