The Driveway
Self-Released, 2019
8/10
A songstress with a knack for storytelling and a gorgeous set of pipes, Jessi McNeal won’t take long to win you over on the country and folk sounds of The Driveway.
“Paint It In The Sky” starts the listen with harmonic vocals and a full, lush setting of cautious instrumentation, and “Out Of Reach” follows with plenty of melody in a pretty, rural rocker.
Elsewhere, “Won’t Run Dry” offers a busy, rhythmic tune where psyche-rock tendencies are in attendance, while “When The Fire Came” recruits mandolin and pedal steel in a bluegrass inspired affair.
Late in the disc, “In Between” emits a calm, powerful moment of Americana beauty as McNeal’s soaring pipes are complemented by the bare, lovely music, and the title track has McNeal’s father handling pedal steel on the warm, sparse and comforting exit.
A reflective 3rd studio album where the themes largely surround transition, McNeal has had much going on in her life in recent years, and she documents it beautifully here with her strong songwriting prowess that’s both intimate and playful, and flows fluidly from one thoughtful track to the next.
Travels well with: Patty Griffin- American Kid; Erika Wennerstrom- Sweet Unknown