Dave McGraw & Mandy Fer - Maritime (2014)

Seed of a Pine was an impressive debut album from American duo Dave McGraw & Mandy Fer, and the good news is that the supposedly difficult follow-up second album is even stronger. Maritime has soulful songs, intuitive musicianship and fine singing throughout, as when Fey evokes strong emotions in the tale of worry that is Compass. McGraw does an equally adroit vocal job on Morning Song.

McGraw is a former wildlife biologist and Maritime was recorded in their home in a forest in northwest Washington and had producer Zach Goheen (Birds of Chicago, Po’ Girl) at the helm for 12 tracks recorded over eight days. Maritime was funded by a kickstarter campaign and there are subtle contributions from drummer Andre Lauher, Christopher Merill (on bass); Mike Grigon (lap steel); Jerome Holloway (harmony vocals on Helicopter); and Sarah Von Dassow (cello), not forgetting Fer’s own distinctive guitar work.

I particularly liked the languid charm of Could Be Ghosts, the persuasive power of Dark Dark Woods and the highlight song, Conspiracy of Ravens.