New Store No. 2
Max, 2020
8/10
Formerly of the New York City ‘90s rockers Skeleton Key, these days the guitar, singer, songwriter and arranger Chris Maxwell is playing softer music. On this sophomore solo album, Maxwell is in great company with Rachel Yamagata, Amy Helm, and his lifelong collaborator, Ambrosia Parsley, among many others, on a varied and personal effort.
“Birdhouse” gets the album started with hazy pop sensibilities in the elegant singer-songwriter setting, and “Walking Through The Water” follows with a lush approach where expressive vocals and strategic horns leave an impression.
In the middle, “Eloise” benefits greatly from backing vocals in the dreamy delivery, while “Cause And Effect”, one of the gentler moments, uses piano and cautious melodies with sublime song craft. “Most Of What I Know”, an album highlight, then finds a louder place to reside with gritty rock’n’roll as female voices complement the energetic atmosphere.
Near the end, “Jack Lee’s Dead” retreats to soft balladry, as elegant brass contributes greatly, and “The Song Turns Blue” ends the listen with an emotive and rhythmic exit of timeless skill that’s culled from much experience and talent.
Maxwell sprinkles in a few ‘pop songs’, as he puts it, but the entire listen is universally accessible and never short on eclectic landscapes where nods to ‘70s rock, jazz and R&B are used sparingly but effectively.
Travels well with: Grant Peeples- Bad Wife; Terry Ohms- Cold Cold Shoulder