Vehicle

Sam Bisbee's aptly titled sophomore effort, Vehicle, portrays an artist in motion. Bisbee creates emotionally honest songs that evoke the fiery roots rock of Bruce Springsteen and John Cougar Mellancamp, yet he renders his compositions with intoxicating arrangements, even going as far as to juggle acoustic instrumentation with contemporary electronica on a few cuts. Bisbee's rhythmic computer programming in "Shake Me," "Molecules," and "Bucket Seat" is downright soulful. That's because the songs are strong and his supporting cast is a perfect compliment to Bisbee's penchant for telling a story with melody. The duet with Leona Naess on "Miracle Car" is among the many stellar moments on this collection, blending a driving beat with atonal guitar textures and sexy wordplay between the two lovers headed down the never-ending road to romantic bliss. Bisbee is a dexterous vocalist and an accomplished songwriter whose earthy and literate compositions merit repeated listening, especially the reprise of "Miracle Car," which would have found its way into the L.A. Woman-era Doors repertoire without fail.