Dragonfly There’s something very comforting about Samantha Crain and her warm vocal delivery found on Gumshoe, her seventh album to date, and first in nearly five years. Much like that sort of feeling of listening to an old friend recounting the best days of your lives together, Crain puts a delicate emphasis on her experiences that led to this record. As recounted in the press release, ”Gumshoe is a deconstruction of the false premonition that [Crain] was destined to always be an outsider. It’s all about curiosity for the things that shape you as a partner, a friend, a neighbor: a clarity Sam found in her experiences and challenges these last few years helping her partner navigate their addiction, immersing herself within her community in Oklahoma while working at a wildcare rescue and a liquor store, and discovering how to love and be loved.” They don’t make artists like Samantha Crain much anymore, but when they do come along, you treasure these musicians with a full and open heart.
Gumshoe opens with the rustic Rock n’ Roll single of “Dragonfly” that features some intricately-strummed electric guitar before Crain’s vocals enter the scene for the first time with a comforting tone. The guitar vibe reminded me a bit of Wet Leg’s debut self-titled effort, with equally-pleasing results. After the raucous opener, Crain settles into a comfortable groove on the more somber song, “Neptune Baby.” As Crain navigates the lyrical material, there’s a sense of optimism behind her words that make this period of her life seem more meaningful.
”Dart” has a cool guitar riff to open the song, and when Crain’s vocals cut into the mix that prominently feature bass and drums, it makes you stand at attention to hear what she has to say. I hear a bit of Stevie Nicks in her voice as she navigates the lyrics in the chorus of, “And is it any wonder / I love you more all the time?” “Ridin’ Out The Storm” is a solid mix of Indie Americana music, paired with a unique vocal delivery over the cool beat. It rocks like a classic Bob Dylan-type of song, and has the great storytelling aspect in it too.
The title track arrives at the midway point of the record, and it makes for an important moment on the LP. The fairly straight-forward country jangle of a song plays out like the intro to a Western film, and showcases the depth in Crain’s songwriting. “Fool’s Paradise” features some unique beats in the beginning of the track, and it echoes throughout the song as Crain establishes herself effectively. “B-Attitudes” features some horns to keep from the songs feeling too similar to each other, while “Trap Door” picks up the pace again to breathe some additional life into the dynamic set.
”Boilermaker” is a nice indie pop song that is dripping with some Americana flair in the instrumentation and makes for a memorable standout track towards the end of the record. Things build up to the sprawling “Old Hallicrafter Radio” that closes out Gumshoe on the right foot and showcases why Samantha Crain has been adored by so many fans and critics alike. Crain’s ability to convey a wide range of emotions in her music, while simultaneously having the innate skill to relate her unique life experiences into meaningful songs, only speaks to her true artistry.