Indigo
Blue Elan, 2018
8/10
A duo comprised of Jackie McLean and multi-instrumentalist Shawn Strack, as Roan Yellowthorn the pair create ethereal rock songs that pull from pop and indie ideas in this very well done debut album.
After the atmospheric and brief “Intro”, where random voices appear, “Talk About It” follows with expressive indie-pop that bursts into soaring, melodic highs that are immediately memorable.
Near the middle, “Factory Man” glides with vivid storytelling in a busy setting of bright percussion, while “Do You Know” offers a softer, introspective tune that’s quite eloquent. “Mark My Words”, one of the album’s best, then recruits strategic keys in a dreamy delivery that is easily the best of the bunch.
Close to the end, the title track finds the band entering alt-rock territory with crunchy guitar, and “Outro (On The Outside)” exits the listen with spacey ideas in a folk-pop finish where keys complement McLean’s smooth pipes.
An artist who began as a poet, McLean brings strong storytelling to well thought out songs here, and though she’s got a very famous father (Don McLean), this young talent isn’t planning on riding the coattails of her familial fame, as she proves she’s got the chops to make quite a name for herself on her own merits.
Travels well with: Wood River- More Than I Can See; Birdtalker- One