Maria Taylor - 11:11

Much as I like Azure Ray, I've only ever really heard of Maria Taylor referred to as "that girl from Azure Ray" and I hardly think that's fair when it's so obvious that this album stands on it's own so strongly. Thanks to my geeky street team status, I was sent this album in the post for free one day by Saddle Creek records, and I'm glad too because otherwise I would probably never have sought it out myself. Maria Taylor floats somewhere around the core of Saddle Creek, featuring on dozens of their most famous releases, such as Bright Eyes and The Faint, and dusting everything with her special little magic touch. You can't blame people for wanting her to feature on their albums - almost every track on this album could make a great single, although 'Song Beneath The Song' stands out like Robert Wadlow at a midget convention. Mr Conor Oberst pays her back for all the times she has featured on his records in this track, and it does have a touch of what Bright Eyes can do when they're on top form, while 'One For The Shareholder' has that electronic dream pop sound that makes you realise why The Faint want a bit of this girl too.

If you fancy a bit of first-class quality Saddle Creek, you need look no further than Maria Taylor.

Maria Taylor - Song Beneath The Song
Maria Taylor - One For The Shareholder

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