There's a warmth permeating All The Same, the debut album from Californian-native, Seattle-based Americana folk artist Megan Brickwood. This warmth emanates from the rich and naturalistic instrumentation, wooden vibrations of the guitar, and earthy percussion, but also in Brickwood's vocals, the timbre of which has an unaffected and organic purity.
The opening title track introduces a sensitive narrator at odds with the world ("I know it's all the same, whether you're cheating me or changing the game"). Yet they are far from inconsolable, and perenially look for beauty in the world, often with nods to nature ("If the whistling pine should call you back this way..."). "Hey Little Darling" encourages you to "take your chance and run" through a pensive and ultimately cool musical canvas upon which Brickwood lets the shifting intensity of her vocals communicate the soul of the song, one which explores themes of self-discovery ("I've been waiting all my life for something that felt like mine.")
There's no doubt that this is a sonically splendid album. Produced at Bear Creek Studio in Washington State by Ryan Hadlock and with engineering by Taylor Carroll, the album sports a full-band lineup of Seattle-based musicians including Jeff Fielder on guitar, Dune Butler on bass and synth, Charles Wicklander on keys and organ, and William Mapp on drums and percussion. These players flesh out Brickwood's songs towards celestial lengths, and while the songwriting is constantly pleasant and often revelatory, Brickwood operates in one gear, rarely injecting too much energy into her creations, keeping everything at an acceptably comfortable pace. This appears to be by design, with the record creating cosy atmosphere, though not one that is All the same. For example "Trinity River Blues" is beguilingly decorated in experimental textures and distorted guitars, while "Nothing New" deals with more socially-conscious lyrics, with Brickwood exploring the ennui of modern American life, ("I met a woman in the market by the orange stand, she laid her bounty open like a child’s hand, she said she felt like a stranger in a foreign land.")
Elsewhere, "Fifth Mile" sees gentle fingerpicking, twinkling piano, spacious cymbals, spacey electric guitars and earthy hand percussion blend with Brickwood's mysteriously nymphic vocals in psychedelic fashion. It recalls the astral ambitions of the British folk revival group Pentangle while retaining an accessibility and breeziness. "You'll Never Find A Girl Like Me" ruminates on the challenge of maintaining self-worth after a tumultuous relationship ("You made me feel well until the gauntlet fell... I'm much better off on my own.") with melodic panache. "The Line" operates on a laid-back groove, its colourful slide guitar lines embellishing the already flavourful tune. The closing track, "Over The Bridge", finishes the collection on a high point, with its low-lit and sombre mood progressing towards gnarly guitar solos and a satisfying crescendo.
All The Same by Megan Brickwood relies on folk traditions to express the grievances and frustrations of modern life. The delicious production showcases Brickwood's songs in the best possible light, illuminating a generous songwriter unafraid of bearing her scars and fears for her audience, all while avoiding cliches with clever lyrics and a genuinely tender musicality.
★★★★