MacGuffin
Self-Released, 2024
8/10
The sophomore effort from Hilary Tipps and Steve Obermiller, the 10 songs welcome plenty of guests and a choir to folk, Americana and country spirited songs.
The warm vocal harmonies of “All I Need” opens the record with Tipps and Obermiller’s fluid guitars being complemented by Trey Ware’s agile drumming, and “Fort Worth” follows with a powerful duet, where a gospel feeling is present amid Aden Bubeck’s fluid bass.
The scrappy and upbeat “Middle Age Prodigy” lands in the middle, and welcomes dreamy guitars and a breeziness that we could never tire of, while “We Went To Work” allows Tipps’ impressive range to shine alongside the careful rhythm section.
Closer to the end, “Welcome To The Choir” builds into a rich and textured album highlight of rootsy flavor that uses the McGuffin choir’s soothing voices, and “Intro Song” exits with thicker guitars, bouncy bass and a fun mix of singing and talking.
Obermiller and Tipps are married, and the chemistry between them reflects that, as their excellent band guides them through very playful, relatable and sincere songs that we won’t soon forget.
Travels well with: Heather Little- By Now; Scott Sean White- Even Better On The Bad Days