New-York based singer/songwriter Annie Keating has picked up a great reputation over the course of her 3 previous albums, but here on ‘Water Tower View’ it all comes into focus and together on an album that really stands out as a superb example of modern American contemporary folk.
Her approach has much in common with artists such as Nels Andrews and Meg Hutchinson – where characters, places and everyday urban situations, meet open musical arrangements full of space and subtlety. It’s an identifiably American approach that veers between gentle Americana influences, dreamy ‘widescreen’ soundscapes, and occasionally into harder and edgier arrangements. This variety gives the album a great flow as the 11 songs seamlessly link but also have enough diversity in styles to sustain the listeners’ interest.
It’s also a beautifully produced album, with each song thoughtfully arranged and performed by the excellent band that includes Bo Ramsey, Jason Mercer and Chris Benelli amongst the musicians providing the backing of various guitars, bass and percussion. While the band arrangements may look simple on paper, there’s some real magic and subtlety here.
There are some really strong songs here, blue-collar values and imagery, travelogues, character studies and tales of love gone sour are all themes across the disc, but her narrative skill really help lift her above many of her contemporary artists. The album is bookended by two excellent songs that sum her style up perfectly – the opening title track is a beautifully arranged, light and wistful track, and the closing track ‘Scene II’ is an altogether darker affair with a compelling narrative.
‘Water Tower View’ is a genuinely excellent album, it’s certainly not showy in arrangements or vocals gymnastics, but it really delivers in terms of quality across the board – very highly recommended.
Track listing
1 Water Tower View
2 Victoria Station
3 On the Loose
4 Long Shot
5 The Borderline
6 First of November
7 A Little Too Long
8 The Hollow
9 Fallen Down
10 Scene I
11 Scene II
