For some reason, there has been an ongoing debate about M.C. Taylor, and his Hiss Golden Messenger project. Nine years and six albums on, he has either been accepted wholeheartedly, or doubted as “just another singer/songwriter” or a “Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy copycat”. I’d say these doubters haven’t taken a listen to Taylor’s music for a while, at least not from his 2014 album “Lateness of Dancers”, and particularly this new one, a double outing “Heart Like A Levee”.
Listening to it a few times, I can say, ok, there is definitely one similarity with “mr. Bonnie” Will Oldham - neither Oldham or Taylor stand still with their music, they constantly bring in new elements to make it fresh and interesting, first for themselves, then for their listeners.Brining blues and stuff to his previous outings, Taylor now shows great appreciation and understanding of Southern music. But then, they always loved their soul in California where Taylor is from. Stax soul, gospel, blues (again) they’re all here and then some. By the time you get to the title song, or the following one, “Like a Mirror Loves a Hammer”, you are already groovin’, but still with that debated singer/songwriter touch.For those, weaned on what Taylor came up previously, the second (cd, vinyl album) is probably more up to their taste, but Taylor still doesn’t give up on the new stuff he brought in. Oh, and his lyrics craftsmanship is still intact - try of example the excellent “Cracked Windshield”.
The “best of the year list” time is getting close. This one will be definitely on mine.
