The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
Organic, 2022
9/10
Listen to The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
There’s been much going on in the personal lives of Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters, just as there has been in the world the last couple of years, and that’s provided a whole lot of fodder for this double disc of singles that are grouped into The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea on this rich and very well thought out collection.
“New York” starts the listen with warm acoustic strumming before gentle drumming and agile keys enter alongside Platt’s gorgeous pipes that benefit from Evan Martin’s harmony vocals, and “Burn” follows with a slow burning, bluesy appeal that showcases Matt Smith’s electric guitar prowess.
Further on in this portion, “Saint Sebastian” showcases Smith’s glowing pedal steel in the expressive climate, while “Eurydice” blends Mark Platt’s harmonica, Andrew Platt’s electric guitar, and Kevin Williams’ keys with Platt’s inimitable, stirring voice. “Perfect Word”, the best selection from disc 1, then recruits Williams’ piano for the more gritty landscape of poetic roots rock.
The 2nd disc leads with the soulful and bare “Open The Door”, where Platt’s pipes are accompanied by Martin’s keys and Smith’s pedal steel, and it isn’t long until “Reverie” incorporates resophonic guitar into the charming bass and poetic singing. “Lessons In Gravity”, a late album highlight, then emits a glowing intimacy amid Platt’s vivid storytelling.
Even though all these tracks were recorded at different times, and sometimes in a hurry, they flow together seamlessly here, and are further proof that Platt and company are making some of the most luminous Americana today.
Travels well with: Karen Jonas- Summer Songs; Brennen Leigh- Prairie Love Letter