Three Cities

When I hear Keeley Valentino's "Three Cities," I immediately thought she was a more grown-up, less commercial Taylor Swift. While this is not necessarily that far off, it really isn't fair to her talent. True, she borrows from country and pop to make a uniquely American sound, but her songs and musicianship maintains such an organic feel that is absent in the commercially viable Swift.

She is regarded as acoustic, and this is accurate since that earthy sound can be heard in virtually every song. There was very little electric guitar, though it was a nice change of pace in songs like "Can't Lose You." The harmonizing in "So Easily Afraid" is surprisingly graceful, as is the whole album.

Many of the tracks on this sophomore album are about love: losing it, excited about it, wanting more of it. Her voice maintains that country sound, while the overall music is more rock with a hint of blues. The mandolin appears but is very background and I didn't really notice it until the second half of the album. This second half seems to take a more commercial turn, although the very last song is the most acoustic and simplistic song on the album, and all the more pleasant.

This is a young artist, embarking on what will probably be a long career, which is evident in songs like her homage "Don't Forget Me Tennessee," in which the piano is subtle and beautiful.

I am usually averse to peripheral country music. But this is an album you have to appreciate for its simple beauty and grace.