JOY MILLS BAND : ECHOLOCATOR

 

  1. Echolocator
  2. Get Out Of Town
  3. Oxygen
  4. Without Even Asking
  5. Stuck In A Rut
  6. Favorite Stone
  7. The Lovely And The Lean
  8. My One And Only
  9. The Peace Of Things
  10. Message Of My Love

Label : Joy Mills (BMI)

Release Date : 2020

Length : 36:18

Review (Rhythm, Roots & Blues Report) : Seattle-based singer songwriter Joy Mills and her band begin their journey together in 2011 and have four albums to their credit. The country and roots quintet have centered their sound around Mill’s ethereal alto lead vocals and inviting songwriting. Their fifth album, Echolocator is set for a January 24, 2020 release. The 10 new tracks find the group pushing new boundaries around their core self described no frills vibe. Mills is backed by Tom Parker on bass and vocals, guitarist Lucian LaMotte along with Mike McDermott on drums and keyboardist Jack Quick. The super smooth new album is a mix of influences from progressive rock and Emo Pop with a little Country twang and West Coast soul; the embodiment of the term “adult album alternative. The title track opens the set of Echolocator, a bit of soul-searching poetry with a distinct 80s pop feel that begins with a nod to Alex Lifeson from LaMotte’s guitar harmonics. The spacious “Get Out of Town,” makes use of all the bands instrumental and vocal talents on the lilting pop tune. All the edges are super smooth on the languid piano driven ballad “Oxygen.” The alt-country twang returns on the easy-going strummer, “Without Even Asking.” Jack Quick leads the groove with funky Wurlitzer work during the shifting “Stuck in a Rut,” and LaMotte delivers a tasty solo on the southern soul rocker “Favorite Stone.” The breezy beats and swirling sonics of “The Lonely and the Lean, “mask a darker center of introspective songwriting. LaMotte drops sweet high lonesome pedal steel over the sentimental ballad “My One and Only,” to great effect and then channels Mark Knopfler on the dreamy track “The Peace of Things.” The album closes with a sweet song, “Message Of My Love,“ that is equal parts 60s bliss and 80s theatrics, for pure pop indulgence. It has been nearly three years since the last EP from the Joy Mills Band and the tones broadcast by Echolocator should surely widen the band’s listening audience.

Review (Americana UK) : Hailing from Seattle and now five albums in comes The Joy Mills Band. Their latest record, taking a sonic leap from their country and roots territory now includes influences such as Supertramp and The Police. An eclectic mix of long-term friends brings ten brand new songs into fruition with ‘Echolocator’, released on the 24th of January via their own independent outlet. Mills and the band gather pace with the opening track ‘Echolocator’, setting the tone for the entire album in terms of production and the backdrop of the driven rhythm section. Here comparisons could be drawn to later Fleetwood Mac records, bringing on an almost 80’s revival. Along similar lines ‘Get Out of Town’ illustrates how well Mills’ voice transcends across the music, accompanying the strength of the melody. ‘Favourite Stone’ is another stand out track, bringing contrasting tonalities of funk and rock, as does ‘My One and Only’. Here we see a little more instrumental prominence as the song uncovers the textural playing of Lucien LaMotte on pedal steel and Jack Quick on keys. The album can sound a little mechanical and the accompanying rhythm section repeats itself across a handful of songs but perhaps it is not an album for die-hard instrumentalists but for those looking for a crossover to 80’s pop sensibilities.

Review (Keys And Chords) : ?De band rond zangeres Joy Mills draait al even mee in het americana circuit. Hun alt-country of rootsmuziek komt uit de pen van Joy. De lead guitar van Lucien LaMotte zorgt voor de gepaste sfeer, dikwijls in conversatie met de keys van Jack Quick. Naast de swingende titelsong ‘Echolocator’ (met wat ruimtelijke reverb eronder of course), charmeert het hele album met de eclectische songs. ‘Oxygen’, een ballad-achtige popsong die je naar adem doet snakken. ‘Stuck In A Rut’ kreeg een Supertramp ritme op keys. ‘Favorite Stone’ gaat de bluesrock toer op. En de country ballad ‘My One And Only’ met pedal steel en orgel begeleiding lijkt mij toch iets te melig om te boeien. Tenzij je echt een traan wil wegpinken. Iets meer Joy-ful hoor je in de afsluiter ‘Message Of My Love’. De boodschap komt echter alleen over bij echte fans van het genre. En ook Stevie Nicks kwam er mee weg.