Mindy Smith – Long Island Shore

Blessed with an expressive and crystal clear voice, singer-songwriter Mindy Smith follows up her breathtaking 2004 debut One More Moment with a very good, but not better, album.

Much as the songs on this album are well-crafted, there are none as instantly memorable as “Falling”, “Fighting For It All”, “It’s Amazing” or “Come To Jesus” from the debut.

As on the first album, the preacher’s daughter reveals a depth of Christian spirituality that establishes the profound presence of God in her life, notably on “Out Of Control”, “Out Loud” and “I’m Not The Only One Asking”.

Musically, Smith is pigeon-holed in the folk-pop drawer, but that is misleading and pointless labelling. “Little Devil” and “You Know I Love You” sound like Norah Jones gone grassroots (indeed, Smith should appeal to those who like the idea of Jones, but find her just a bit too polished and boring), while “Please Stay” is breezy country-pop.

Long Island Shores is at its strongest when Smith returns to the soft, reflective sound that dominated One More Moment, such as on “Tennessee” or the glowing title track.

Listen to: Out Of Control; Edge Of Love; Out Loud; What If The World Stops Turning (with Buddy Miller); Long Island Shore; Tennessee.