Midland – Barely Blue
This album was recorded in Savannah, GA & produced by Dave Cobb (acoustic & electric guitars). There are eight Barely Blue (Dropped Sept 20/Big Machine Records) songs in the Grammy-nominated trio’s showcase. The band is comprised of Mark Wystrach (vocals), Jess Carson (acoustic guitar/bgv) & Leroy Powell (acoustic & electric guitars/dobro/pedal steel guitar/harmonica) with Cameron Duddy (bass/bgv), Philip Towns (keys) & Chris Powell (drums/percussion).
While the music itself is nothing new, or innovative, the band presents their material exceptionally well. There’s a tinge of country, with a Western flavor but it’s not C&W. It’s not Southern rock, it’s not Poco, Marshall Tucker Band, or The Allman Brothers. It has a more muscular sound than The Eagles & yet, the vocals are warm & distinctive.
“Lucky Sometimes,” & “Barely Blue” have a modern-day country delivery but the harmonies are more Southern California which is what lends a differentiated sound to their numbers. The band punctuates their music & vocals with arrangements that breathe lots of atmosphere into what is standard stuff but never sound that way.
There are similarities to Ozark Mountain Daredevils (“Fool’s Gold”) with a little Lowen & Navarro current running through it. It’s all done more with maturity than commerciality. The rambunctiousness is kept to a minimum & there’s no hint of corniness.
The emphasis is on the songwriting & performance. Instrumentally there are no wild solos & they never fatten up the sound with an abundance of repetitive playing wrapped around their vocals. The harmonies come a fingertip close to the Beach Boys (“Old Fashioned Feeling”) & that’s admirable. If the Beach Boys were to make a country album they would sound something like this.
“Halfway To Heaven” is the winner among the 8 despite its ability to make a baby-boomer recall Tony Orlando’s 1961 Goffin-King hit “Halfway To Paradise” — because both stay with you long after they play. They’re similar but not entirely the same.
Midland’s music & performance is delightful throughout this album.
Color image courtesy of Harper Smith. A 12pp stitched lyric insert is included. CD @ Apple + https://www.midlandofficial.com/releases-archive/midland-barely-blue-deluxe/#/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Show Review: Midland in Atlanta
