Tipps and Obermiller – Little-Kid Heart
Story songs & narratives can be the best types of songs. And Tipps & Obermiller are good storytellers. There’s a beginning, a middle & an end. Descriptive words & many places a singer can take you. “Apartment 303” opens this new album & it has a clever melody sung by Fort Worth, Texas, singer-songwriter Steve Obermiller (acoustic & electric guitar/mandolin guitar/vocals) with a friendly application & lots of enthusiasm.
Not to be outdone, track 2 is performed gently & wonderfully by his partner Hilary Tipps (acoustic guitar/vocals), who provides another cool narrative that’s scribbled into a listener’s ear on “Love Letter.” A typically simple title but appropriate. Some songs in these genres can be sappy-dramatic, but that’s the roll of the dice with such compositions. On this, their 3rd LP, the 10-track Little-Kid Heart (Drops July 10/Independent/37:32), produced by Taylor Tatsch (guitars/mandolin/bass/keys/drums/percussion), is nothing but delightful, smooth-flowing tunes.
Some are nostalgic turns with the understanding that not everyone has lived that kind of childhood. It becomes vanilla instead of something potent. The sentiment of “Little-Kid Heart” is strong, but its scope is limited to the individual experiences of an audience. But interpretation is always where relevance lies.
“Fresh Hell” is edgier & it’s well done. It has a musical progression that takes a pensive blues poke despite its folky insinuations. Hilary sings it with just enough vocal dexterity akin to Bonnie Bramlett (Delaney & Bonnie), or her daughter Bekka. It’s an Americana tradition. The album themes touch upon old wounds, quiet hopes, & the parts of us that didn’t grow up. It’s told with humor & heartbreak with no easy answers.
“The Garden” is a brighter melody by Hilary with her reassuring vocals of hope, confidence & purity. Another good narrative comes with Hilary’s excellent vocals on “Dance When You’re Broken” — a childlike song but far from childish. Lovely in its poignancy, benevolence & reach. The duo rocks a bit with “Shopping Wrong”; that’s close to novelty but kept in lane by their firm & fine musicianship. The album has a good sound & a tight groove throughout. It confirms the well-attuned, diversified & dependable Tipps-Obermiller partnership showcased by these songs.
Highlights – “Apartment 303,” “Love Letter,” “Little-Kid Heart,” “Fresh Hell,” “The Garden,” “Dance When You’re Broken,” & “Shopping Wrong.”
Color image courtesy of their website. CD @ Amazon & Bandcamp + https://www.tippsandobermiller.com/