26 Miles [Audio CD] Sean Watkins

On his second solo release, Sean Watkins tones down the flatpicking guitar fireworks to focus on the kind of acoustic-based pop song craft that his band, Nickel Creek, has explored so successfully since its self-titled 2000 release. On 26 Miles, Watkins?s songs recall the British-flavored folk-rock of Beck?s Mutations and, especially, the softly soaring melodies of alt-rock troubadour Elliott Smith. As a lyricist, Watkins has a long way to go to match these songsmiths, but he proves himself to be a graceful and inventive composer, and his smooth voice is well matched with the material. Balancing the vocal tracks are three fine instrumentals, notably "Chutes and Ladders," on which Watson?s guitar and Trip Sprague?s saxophone chase down a quicksilver bebop melody. Overall, the production style is poppier than what we?ve heard from Nickel Creek to date, with drums (live and programmed), keyboards, and a smattering of electric guitar alongside the acoustic instruments. --Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers