Audio CD review:
Sean Watkins - 26 Miles

Sean Watkins - 26 Miles

Band: Sean Watkins Title: 26 Miles Rating: Release Date: 08 April, 2003 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: On Ice 2: Chicago 3: Letters Never Sent 4: N.M.I. 5: Hiding 6: Through The Spring 7: Chutes & Ladders 8: Take It Away 9: Locking Doors 10: 26 Miles 11: Creeping Beauty 12: Brick Window 13: Carousel

Editoral Review On 26 Miles, Watkins’s songs recall the British-flavored folk-rock of Beck’s Mutations and, especially, the softly soaring melodies of alt-rock troubadour Elliott Smith. On his second solo release, Sean Watkins tones down the flatpicking guitar fireworks to focus on the kind of acoustic-based pop song craft that his band, Nickel Creek, has explored so successfully since its self-titled 2000 release. As a lyricist, Watkins has a long way to go to match these songsmiths, but he proves himself to be a graceful and inventive composer, and his smooth voice is well matched with the material. Balancing the vocal tracks are three fine instrumentals, notably "Chutes and Ladders," on which Watson’s guitar and Trip Sprague’s saxophone chase down a quicksilver bebop melody. Overall, the production style is poppier than what we’ve heard from Nickel Creek to date, with drums (live and programmed), keyboards, and a smattering of electric guitar alongside the acoustic instruments. --Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers .. You can see a complete list of all Sean Watkins discography, or go back to the Sean Watkins tabs