Maria Taylor - Something about Knowing

  by Lisa Torem

published: 19 / 11 / 2013

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Review

Maria Taylor's trajectory has been graced with a number of other talented artists. The Alabama singer-songwriter began her career at only 15 with Little Red Rocket in the 1990s, after which time she collaborated with Orenda Fink in Azure Ray which resulted in four solo albums and an EP. Taylor went on in her solo career to work with a list of extraordinary artists which include REM’s Michael Stipe, Moby and Bright Eyes’ Conner Oberst. A prolific songwriter, her original music has been featured on a number of popular American TV shows, including ‘Grey's Anatomy’ and ‘One Tree Hill’. She's been onstage with Jason Isbell and Jimmy Eat World, to name just a few, but whether working with others or alone her delicate voice and heartfelt themes never fail to intrigue. Taylor's albums have consistently been honest, strikingly melodic and deeply personal. Whilst much of the material in the past dealt with break ups and identity crisis, her brand new album, 'Something About Knowing' is fantastically optimistic. Her role as a new mother seems to have a lot to do with it. The opener 'Folk Song Melody' starts the pace off well. "There's grace in how we choose which memories to lose," she advises. The song is offset by gentle strumming (Taylor's brother, Macey, contributes a lot of musicality to the project), and a great deal of wisdom: "You can never change someone but you can change your reaction." 'Up All Night' features marvellous,clanky percussion and is more country flavoured. Ironically, the delightful theme is not about partying on a tour bus, but soothing her newborn son. "I've been up all night/But these are the best days of my life/It's the time of the year for change and it's covered in love." Her gentle nature continues in 'Sum of Our Lives'. "'Soft spoken spring whispers graciously/Thank you for a new beginning,/A break for the broken hearted..." but she concludes, "I want to be the one who makes it." One of the most reflective songs of the collection, 'Sum of Our Lives' nudges us into consciousness; the mature lyrics, embedded in a swirl of electronics, strike home effectively. 'Tunnel Vision' is one of the most catchy - "You were running from the outside/Running towards the finish line/I was betting on the other side." The chorus comes after these strong statements: "Strong will, I know it well/Tunnel vision can take you through Hell." 'You've Got a Way with the Light' has a freewheeling, laid-back vibe and, in keeping with the larger theme, really underscores Taylor's bright outlook: "Never look down at the holes in the ground/Keep your eyes ahead." 'Something About Knowing' also expresses her confidence and humour: "Got a dog named Buddy, a ‘Revolver’ LP". The fluid guitar licks and finger picking add a lot of zeal. 'This Is It' gets straight to the point, as well. "Button up your shirt/Straighten up your tie," she sings, as her typically gentle voice becomes commanding. "We were living on a straight line/Now we're out of control." The Beach Boys harmonies that underscore her direct interpretation are palpable. One song feels like the sometimes sad Maria Taylor of yore, 'Broken Objects'. A bit more melancholy than the rest, it goes: "Seen a lot of broken objects in a lot of broken towns/When the night is young the highways slowin' down/Never let that ghost horizon lull you into dying." 'Saturday in June' is chillingly gorgeous, with angelic harmonies that surface within the very first measures. The steel guitar, which subtly accentuates the text, absolutely melts the heart and so does Taylor's message of innocence: "Got just one light, so let's leave tonight." It's easy to understand why 'A Lullaby For You' is the closer. With "fairy tales and sweet surprise," this beautiful ode to her son is destined to be a classic. Her words say it all so well: "Once I had tried to feel something/Oh, I tried" and finally, "I feel everything."

Track Listing:-

1 Folk Song Melody
2 Up All Night
3 Tunnel Vision
4 Sum of Our Lives
5 You've Got a Way with the Light
6 Something About Knowing
7 This Is It
8 Broken Objects
9 Saturday in June
10 A Lullaby for You

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/mariataylor
http://www.mariataylormusic.com/
https://instagram.com/mariataylor1111/
https://twitter.com/maria_taylor

Label Links:-

http://saddle-creek.com/
https://www.facebook.com/SaddleCreekRe
http://www.last.fm/label/Saddle+Creek
https://www.youtube.com/user/SaddleCre
https://twitter.com/saddlecreek