Erin McKeown
We Will Become Like Birds

(Nettwerk)

First Appeared in The Music Box, July 2005, Volume 12, #7

Written by T.J. Simon

Like her current touring partner Ani Difranco, Boston folkie Erin McKeown always has cut her own path through the music world while eschewing convention and building a loyal cult following in the process. Her fourth album We Will Become Like Birds is her richest sounding effort to date, and it also signifies a larger shift in style away from coffeehouse textures towards the realm of full-fledged pop. In her new persona, McKeown is best represented by the wildly optimistic and uplifting numbers Air and To the Stars. On the slower side, she excels on her prayerful ode to love on Float, largely due to the strength of her smooth and impossibly pretty voice. She is joined by Argentinean sensation Juana Molina on the so-so track The Golden Dream and by singer-songwriter Peter Mulvey on the moody duet Delicate December. The Latin and gospel-tinged We Are More proves to be a highlight as does the disc’s closer, the Aimee Mann-ish You Were Right About Everything. Despite having a rabidly devoted fan base who’d be willing to support her if she released an album of guitar tuning, McKeown continues to deliver solid records worthy of mass attention. The shimmering and jangly pop on We Will Become Like Birds is no exception. ½

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Ratings

1 Star:   Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!

Copyright © 2005 The Music Box