Maria Taylor- Overlook

Maria Taylor should be a pretty recognizable name for most people since she has worked with Bright Eyes in a few albums and is in the group Azure Ray. Overlook is a solo album from Taylor and has its highs and lows. The highs are her lyrics and vocals for sure. On tracks like “Bad Idea?” and “This Could Take a Lifetime” there is some great insight and depth that few artists get to. Where the album falls apart is in its overall construction. It starts kind of slow but picks up with the only real pop song on the album “Matador.” After that it just feels like a string of songs rather than an actual album and the ending is kind of abrupt. I love the effects used on the vocals adding that little thing that makes her stand out. Overall I do like Overlook quite a bit. Even in its flaws there is some charm in the twangy Southern indie rock she does. To me this album is a must listen but I can see where some people would be put off. Instead I am going to say if you get a chance give this album a chance and maybe it can charm you the way it did me.

Final Review- 85


Best Songs- Matador, Bad Idea?, This Could Take a Lifetime

Bright Eyes- The People's Keys

There is something that Conor Oberst brings to every one of his projects that no one else ever has. In a music industry where everyone is trying (and most often failing) to do indie music with deep and meaningful lyrics Bright Eyes has been the only constant. The People’s Key is the first Bright Eyes album in four years and you can tell that the break served front man Conor Oburst well. He comes back strong with the emotional ride that is The People’s Key. There are some familiar sounds on The People’s Key but it stands on its own. In true Bright Eyes style, there are some neat experimental sounds sprinkled throughout The People’s Key. An example is on “Jejune Stars.” It has a punk rock and close to uncomfortable sound that isn’t really shown on previous albums. The opening track is similar to 2007's release Cassadaga with Denny Brewers ranting about shamanic beliefs to kick off “Firewall.” The People’s Key is a perfect example of how to do a successful and great album. I can’t help but love every track. From the nice smooth piano playing of "The Ladder Song" or the great pop sense of "Shell Games" this album is not one to be missed.

Final Review- 100