Marlee MacLeod – Like Hollywood

Marlee MacLeod’s resonant voice is reason enough to lend an ear to these eleven originals (and one cover), but her songwriting and lead electric guitar playing are two more reasons. We may as well throw in her mandolin, banjo, Wurlitzer and piano while were at it, as there is very little here not to like.

On Like Hollywood, her fifth full album since 1993, MacLeod’s playfully compelling dissonance in rising chord structures — the way the pitch of her voice plays off the key of the song — does to your head what rollercoasters do to your stomach. The catchy “Regretfully”, which has a baritone guitar undertow beneath guitars, lap steel, a Hammond B-3, and bass and percussion, showcases this harmonic discord in all its glory.

The point of the songs is not to get to the solos; in fact, with the exception of the occasional pedal steel break (by Eric Heywood, and particularly on “Flying Time”), the musicianship is all teamwork devoted to supporting the song at large.

Co-producer John Fields’ Hammond, piano and accordion, Heywood’s pedal steel, Jessy Greene’s fiddle and MacLeod’s own multi-instrumental contributions fit like puzzle pieces as MacLeod boldly (but never sappily) sings about failed relationships, and, well, more failed relationships. Billy Thommes’ drums and Ken Chastain’s percussion are solid as well.

One can’t say MacLeod sounds like so-and-so, because she doesn’t. Hers is a distinctive voice that deserves a listen.