Postcards Of The Reckoning
Multiple Logo, 2024
8/10
Listen to Postcards Of The Reckoning
A New Jersey artist with a penchant for folk and bluegrass sounds, Sean Kiely pens poetic and pretty songs here surrounded by an all star cast of players.
The love song, “Irises”, opens with Minnie Jordan’s pretty violin and Maddie Witler’s expressive mandolin alongside Kiely’s soft voice, and “One More” follows with Bobby Hawk’s bright violin amid the animated singing of the anthemic nod to George Harrison.
At the halfway point, we’re treated to “Reckoning”, where Abbie Gardner’s eloquent guitar suits the sublime balladry, while “Hold Me Out (Or, Hold Me In)” recruits Elizabeth Ziman’s inimitable pipes for the intimate and hazy album highlight.
“Oh, Sarah” and “The Time Old Rag” exit the listen. The former benefits much from a hint of ambience and Jared Engel’s strategic bass, and the latter offers a nostalgic campfire tune, where Bill Campbell’s playful drums align with Witler’s skilled mandolin and Kiely’s friendly singing.
A highly genuine affair that touches on heartbreak and other universal themes, Kiely and company make for a memorable version of modern folk.
Travels well with: Colin O’Brien- Thirteen; Jenny Burtis- Woodbird