Utah Carol- Rodeo Queen

It has taken them 3 albums, but Utah Carol has finally gotten their collective head straight. For the first time in their brief career, the duo has released a record that sounds like them, a focused effort through and through.

The Chicago tandem, comprised of Grant Birkenbeuel and Jinja Davis, have put out a rural folk-pop gem in the form of their latest, Rodeo Queen. On said album, Utah Carol has at long last decided to stray from the formula of previous efforts and have rallied around one predominant sonic theme. The record is mellow and soothing while remaining vivid enough in its lyrics and sound to keep listeners begging for more. The male/female vocal approach constitutes the driving force of Utah Carol; and this aesthetic is redolent of Page France and the Micheal Nau/Whitney McGraw dynamic. This makes for a perfectly angelic, honeyed texture that is held up for Rodeo Queen's entire run-time (43 minutes). Birkenbeuel's vocals are spot-on and surprisingly carry a lot of depth which meshes effortlessly with Davis' dulcet voice, but not so much so that it they ever become one and the same. The vocals are definitely the appeal of the duo and while Utah Carol's instrumentation is interesting, the harmonies are executed with such flair that it becomes an arduous task for listeners to revel in anything other than the twosome's remarkable sonic chemistry.

As for the aforementioned instrumentation, Utah Carol uses it sparingly but to great effect as they tactfully inject an extra touch where they deem it necessary. The band makes use of synths, horns, organs, and vibraphones to construct a rich yet airy soundscape which has become a calling card for the duo. On prior albums, namely Wonderwheel and Comfort For The Traveler, we can detect Utah Carol on its game delivering its brand of down-home countryish pop songs. However, there are instances when they would diverge from what works so well for them and would indulge in quicker, jauntier numbers. These tracks aren't terrible per se, but they certainly don't stack up to the easy-going, cushy tracks heard when Utah Carol is in its element. And now that they seem to be comfortable with the lonesome urban cowboy tales they've weaved, it is safe to say that Rodeo Queen is by far and away their strongest effort to date.
7.4/10