‘American Town’ is not your regular folk album. It’s a whole lot more lively, percussive dominant, and upbeat; to the point where it feels a bit like a jazz or pop album at times. On the whole, Alice writes songs that are reflective of her unique American experience. Starting from a rural upbringing to embracing life in the big city and the eventual journey to settle down, each of Alice’s individual stories and tales form part and parcel of the journey that is the album. Replete with melodic and sombre pieces as well as playful and lively ones, it’s a wonderfully eclectic piece rooted in themes of folk.
The titular track starts with a pulsating percussive beat before a wonderful acoustic section reminiscent of Eagle Eye Cherry’s ‘Save Tonight’ comes in to give it an even more nostalgic and warming feel. Alice almost raps on the track, but it’s got a style that has a country feel to it. On ‘Break Down The Wall’, the energy shifts to something a lot more melancholic and sombre. Alice’s singing here sounds a bit more pained and aching. But it’s on the third track, ‘No Need to Shout’, where the folk comes out most resplendently. It’s minimal, with Alice singing a lullaby esque tale to the backing of just an immensely emotive acoustic guitar. And in it’s crescendo, a transportive vocal harmony comes out with a slightly grandiose orchestra.
Each track has something to love, especially so if you’re a devoted fan of folk. Alice’s talent as a songwriter is only surpassed by her range and emotion as a singer. Her voice, supple and emotive, forms the backbone of the entire project. And there are plenty of little additions across the project that add so much to it. Take the violin section on ‘Fish on a Hook’. It adds such an intensely melancholic feel to an already morose track.
If you’re a fan of folk music, ‘American Town’ should be at the top of your listening list. An all around seamlessly composed acoustic dominant project that maintains a degree of softness and subtlety, it’s a pleasurable listen for any mood.
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