American Beauties’ recent release Sound Of Mind eases it way out of the stereo speaker with sweet, accessible songs, an album with plenty of pretty melodies moved at considerate paces by sensitive grooves and rhythms. There is also a special something in band leader Michael Gray’s voice, a sweet, plaintive vocal that will stir your emotions in each of his songs.
Opening cut “Yours And Mine” sweeps along, ts harmony vocal lush with a tender touch. Its lead vocal, plaintive and content, carries this along with a perfect balance between nostalgic yearning and mature acceptance. That is a lot to manage, yet Gray and his gang makes it sound easy and beautiful. Something stirs in the backdrop, indicating this will be an album of emotive largeness.
“The Rain” falls like drops in a drizzle, Gray’s voice traveling alongside a fetching harmony vocal as well as sweet piano sprinkles, and a weave of other soothing melody lines. With so many good things mixed into this fine recipe, the listener wonders: why is there a touch of caution in the arcing lead guitar line? Why is there emotional hesitance in the soft falls of piano? Someone has to face a challenge and live with the consequences before finding true bliss in life. It’s uncanny how well Michel Gray captures all of that in his thoughtful lyrics and in his weave of instruments.
“Good Excuses” feels hopeful in the bright melody and jaunty rhythm while Gray gives thoughtful, cautionary advice. There is a yearning that can be heard and felt in his vocal. His sweet pop style come from his natural timbre. He can’t help but fit right in with an emotive guitar cry and the warm, bright impulses of this song.
A peppy groove lulls us into “Shining Stars.” It’s got a well considered pace, with Gray letting out a bit of his magic voice at a time. Its soft, pushing groove keeps things in a pleasant motion. A tasteful touch, it leaves space for an arcing lead guitar line, a phrase that burns brightly while giving just enough edge. That guitar phrase is like a brilliant torch in a grand castle as the Amber Casares harmony vocal bring its simultaneous sweep of joy.
Upper register instruments combine into a lush, full pop feeling on “Matters Of Love.” This rangy song not only includes an easy going lead guitar arc, it is built up with pretty keyboard notes, an intertwining candy second guitar line, and Gray’s homey, friendly voice. Likewise, “Passionate People” is a sum of nicely handled parts. Gray’s tender vocal and thoughtful lyrics, sprinkles of sensitive keyboard notes, and a lead guitar line that touches with its emotive tone and thoughtful motions. By this half way point in this album the listener cannot get enough of Gray’s colorful, thoughtful tapestries.
A somewhat mellower offering, “The Place We Started” weaves its texture from a quieter vocal, light touches of guitar, and nimble offering from a rhythm section. Despite its low key presence, this number manages to have a strong presence due to Gray’s emotive vocal, a nostalgic yearning, a voice that is trying to reach into the past. That voice is perfectly augmented by a sublime accompaniment that makes us feel it as much as the vocal and the lyrics.
A soft rain of piano notes and a perfectly maintained slapping drum beat from the late Ducky Carlisle pull the listener’s attention right to “Days Between.” From there, American Beauties need only apply their magically loose lead guitar sugar and Michael Gray’s earnest vocal application. He sings of something missing from one’s life. His voice, that rolling piano line, and that icing on the cake lead guitar work give his voice a good home.
“Desolate Miles” swaggers in with a bright but bittersweet harmonica line. After that melodic twist creates the attitude, one can feel the aching soul of the long travel. Gray’s voice sprawls out with a sense of resignation. If one must be on a journey, journey forth with solid heartiness and enjoy the view. American Beauties sets a scene well. Here, the group maintains their sweet, hopefulness against a theme of adversity.
“Sundown New Year” travels a path of forlorn emotion. Gray ponders what a new year really offers. Perspective? A new chance? His plaintive voice, beautifully mournful, rides smoothly beside a pretty synth line, a rustic acoustic guitar strum, and a sensitive lap steel. This one eases forth with a beauty that makes the listener wish it could be an even longer song.
Close out track “Always Loved You” finds Gray’s contemplative lyrics and considerate vocal delivery filling in a lot of space left open by a sparse accompaniment. Harmony singer Amber Casares perfectly blends in with his vocal line, creating a tastier texture. Singing a few bits of lyrics at a time, combining with a brittle acoustic guitar, a salty harmonica line, and a touch of bass, puts the pieces of this song together neatly.
Gray and the talent he has assembled for his American Beauties outfit shine brightly throughout this confection of tender, sweet, and bittersweet songs. Steve Sadler, Marc Hickox, Brian E. King, Jonas Kahn, Jeff Alison are all along on this ride. This Sound Of Mind album, recorded and produced by Michael Gray and the recently departed Ducky Carlisle at Carlisle’s Ice Station Zebra in Medford, Massachusetts, maintains a freshness to each one of these special songs.
