Storyhill

There's something very '70s about this record — "Sacramento" almost sounds like it could have fallen off an old Jackson Browne album, and the slower tunes that start Storyhill have a clarity that's quite retro. That's not necessarily a criticism, but the duo show the most individuality on the faster material like "Blazing Out of Sight." The harmonies between the pair work spectacularly, and "Ballad of Joe Snowboard" stands out for its construction — quite different from the rest of the disc, restless and shifting — and quite refreshing. But some of the gentle songs have an airy grace, too, like "For a Song," which barely seems to breathe as it moves, culminating in some George Harrison style slide guitar. However, the closer, "Room in My Heart," while lovingly performed, is somewhat of a simplistic ending to an album that develops nicely, growing in stature as it progresses. All in all, this marks a welcome, assured return for Storyhill.