Minnesota-based singer/songwriter Molly Maher follows-up 2011’s Merry Come Up release after a nine-year gap with her fourth release, Follow. The album was inspired by music heard while on a six-week road trip through Mexico last winter with her husband Ryan and from the work of Los Lobos, the Latin Playboys, and Calexico. Follow was co-produced by Maher and fellow musician Erik Koskinen, and they enlisted Minnesota guitarist Todd Clouser who lives in Mexico City, tablas drummer Krissy Bergmark, slide guitarist Gabriela Sweet, and Mexican vocalist Iraida Noriega. Maher also wrote a few songs using a jarana, an eight-string Mexican instrument borrowed from Louie Perez of Los Lobos. Album highlights include: the Mexican rhythmed instrumental opener “Jango”; the pop-infused “Run, Run, Run”; the understated country-folk number “Pale Face River”; the hazy rock song “Storm Cloud”; the Iraida Noriega backed “Bird Song (I’ll Follow You)”; the twangy Americana number “Someday Somebody”; the atmospheric ambient based track “On the 18”; and the shimmering closing track “Find the Shepard.” Molly Maher’s Follow is a solid album with an interesting mix of musical styles and is an enjoyable listen. – Written by JFelton
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