Sarah Shannon Issue #31

City Morning Song (Minty Fresh)

By Dean Ramos
Published: March 1st, 2007 | 12:00am

On Sarah Shannon’s second full-length, City Morning Song, the ex–Velocity Girl continues to distance herself from her past as the lead singer of the early-’90s indie-rock darlings. Borrowing further from the likes of Carole King and Carly Simon, Shannon has possibly achieved the impossible by creating a refreshingly “retro” album.

With a classic pop sound recalling the best the ’60s and ’70s had to offer, Shannon’s voice has matured considerably since her time with Velocity Girl and possesses a now-impressive range, which is apparent from the outset with the absolutely gorgeous and smile-inducing opening title cut. Genial pianos and endearingly wistful horns permeate City Morning Song with tracks like “Along The Way” and “On And On.” Shannon doesn’t neglect her rocknroll roots, though, with the guitars on the playful and sweet “Near And Far” and the off-Broadway–like “Shiny Little Song.” And although it’s hard to narrow down a dozen amazing songs into a selection of the best of the best, the optimistically heartbroken “Hey Heartache,” the upbeat yet poignant “Watch Over You,” and “Postwar Hope” — a song that subtly soars — would definitely have to be in the top three.

With the resurgence of the Casio still in full swing, and dirty and rough-edged garage rock still reigning supreme, Shannon’s return to a more human element that’s not afraid to dress up a little bit is like a new dawn in the city.