The collective formed when they met at the vaunted
Berklee College of Music, coming together over a love of traditional music, and
they quickly gelled and took to one another. Now based in Boston, the band has
enjoyed a number of accolades and opportunities, performing on the stages of
the "Northeast Pennsylvania Bluegrass Festival, Mile of Music Festival in
Appleton, WI, the Blue Plate Special on WDVX Knoxville, the EAA AirVenture air
show in Oshkosh, and Green Bay's Meyer Theatre and Fox 11 morning show “Good
Day Wisconsin.” Further praise has come their way from critics and fans like
fantasy author Patrick Rothfuss and they've seen their songs work their way
onto the playlists of multiple radio stations while individual members of the
band have been afforded the chance to work with "notable artists like
Wyclef Jean, Imogen Heap, and The Click Five, and Michael Manring."
All of these accolades come honestly as the Hillary
Reynolds Band is a talented quintet, making music that is alternately honest
and enjoyable. With Reynolds managing lead vocal duties, she's joined by Connor
Reese on guitar, Trevor Jarvis on cello and backing vocals, Jeff Hale on drums,
and Chris Mewhinney who shines on electric and acoustic bass. There's a strong
chemistry that's evident throughout the whole of the record and it's no doubt
due to the strong ties this group shares.
The
Miles Before Us starts simply with "Took Me a
While," a breezy pop-tinged track with singsong vocals and bright piano
and twinges of strings that give it that touch of country and "Pretending
I'm In Love" continues that same vibe, Reynolds' vocals smooth and rich
and somewhat reminiscent of Norah Jones in its lower registers. "Honey
Come Home" marks a shift, the pace slowing to a gentle acoustic shuffle,
brushed drums and plucks of banjo and swells of cello lending emotional tones
before seguing into the gem that is "Can't Let You Go."
Forrest O'Connor guests on "I Surrender,"
which opens with a soul-stirring Appalachian a cappella feel before breaking
out into a barn burning acoustic jam, mandolin, guitar, and more raging forth
with passion while "Braver Than We Think" pulls things back to a
gentler, rolling listen with warm harmonies. "What It Is" picks up
those sunny melodies and runs with them followed by "Balloon &
Kite," two tracks that are playful but are among the few that fail to
truly register here.
"Crossing the Line" returns to where the
band really excels however, a strong acoustic arrangement providing the
framework for Reynolds' voice to shine as "This Love of Ours" makes a
case for the highlight song of the album with its powerful instrumentation and
lyrics like, "Oh, take my heart when
you leave/In the morning/Leave your love on the pillow/So I can love you/While
you're gone." It's rich with emotion and makes the best of Reynolds
and company. The goodness continues with the stark sounds of "I Didn't
Know Who Else to Call," the band working a "less is more"
approach that really works while they let it all hang out on the rock-inspired
"Keep On Driving," ending things out with plenty of energy and
leaving listeners chomping at the bit for more.
And that’s exactly what’s bound to happen after folks
give The Miles Before Us a listen.
The Hillary Reynolds Band shows here that they’re the real deal and deliver
your money’s worth and more, crafting compelling Americana-flavored jams with
authenticity and passion. And that’s a formula that will have you reaching for
the “repeat” button time and time again.
Thank you so much for the kind words, Andrew!!
ReplyDeleteXo,
HRB