Note: Sarah Shannon was the frontwoman of 90s college radio staples Velocity Girl. City Morning Song is her second solo album.
Sound: Nothing like the scrappy indie-rock of Velocity Girl…much more like the singer/songwriter pop of Carole King. The classic/standards flavor on City Morning Song can be bright and sunny or darker and dramatic. Sarah’s vocals are stronger and cleaner than you’ve ever heard them, while her backing band supports her with lots of bouncy piano, muted trumpet, gentle strings and the rare electric guitar, which provides the only real link to her former band.
Heavy Rotation tracks: “Near and Far”; “City Morning Song”
Medium Rotation tracks: “Sunlit Smile”; “Shiny Little Song”; “Along the Way”
Explicit Lyrics*: none
Recommended: Once you get over the initial shock (I missed her under-the-radar 2002 solo debut) of hearing Sarah in this lighter context, you’ll discover her affinity for writing sweet and substantial love songs. At times, the whole package can feel too pristine, warm and fuzzy, but the power of her vocals and the strength of her band usually balance out the soft spots.
Grade: B+

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* Noting of explicit lyrics is for the benefit of radio music directors or anyone else that needs/wants to keep their music FCC-friendly.