Caged Birds Set Free (Deluxe Edition)

Jason Reeves’ 2011 EP further reveals the singer/songwriter as a hopeless romantic. Caged Birds Set Free opens with “Song for a Waitress,” a sweet serenade with acoustic arpeggios delicately plucked as Reeves hoists his muse up on a pedestal with whispery inflections. The aptly titled “Bicycle” follows on a pedaling tempo, as Reeves plays piano and sings “I wanna build you a bicycle faster than life / So you can keep up with your dreams.” If anyone else attempted this sentiment it'd likely sound maudlin, but Reeves has a way of keeping his poetry earnest. The EP’s standout track is a duet with his writing partner Colbie Caillat; in “Wishing Weed,” they share verses and sing close harmonies in the chorus, where melancholy guitar chords and lilting piano notes intertwine under their impassioned voices. The song's so good that Reeves even provides an all-acoustic version before closing with the bonus track “New York in Wintertime.” It's another duet, this time with music industry mogul Kara DioGuardi.