Leaving Home
Conch Town, 2020
8/10
The home renovator turned songstress Juliana MacDowell returns with her sophomore album, and she’s in great company as musicians who have played with Elton John, The Mavericks, and Playing For Change are on hand to flesh out the cautious and upbeat affair.
“I Like” starts the listen with bluesy guitar work and a warm setting as Macdowell’s rich, expressive pipes make an immediate impression on the soulful opener, and “Turn It Back Around” follows with a punchy pop spirit amid the Americana influenced instrumentation.
In the middle, “What More Must I Say” benefits greatly from pedal steel on the country tinted rocker, and “In The Dark” keeps the song craft varied with a dip into rhythmic soft-rock where a soothing guitar solo adds much to the flowing melodies. “Midnight Hour” then finds the record entering ballad territory with keys and strings as MacDowell’s voice soars high.
Near the end, “Best Friend” has MacDowell in an emotive environment amid moody musicianship, and “Leaving Home” finishes out the listen with bright horns on an energetic exit to an eclectic and well crafted effort.
Although MacDowell’s inception into music had her questioning her ability to front a band, she clearly possesses a wealth of talent, as these folk, blues, country and rock inspired stories are delivered with a timeless and memorable quality that settles in quite nicely.
Travels well with: Kathy Mattea- Pretty Bird; Gretchen Peters- Dancing With The Beast