From bluegrass and folk roots to new horizons.
For name alone, Maygen & The Birdwatcher deserve plaudits for originality, but you don’t have to listen to their fusion of bluegrass and folk for long to appreciate that such creativity runs deep in the veins of this fine band from Minnesota, led by the songwriting duo Maygen Lacey and Noah Neumann. “The Americana Dream” is their second full-length album that quashes any doubts often attached to a sophomore release. Their acclaimed 2021 debut “Moonshine” introduces this rootsy shot of americana, something they built on with an EP last year. With ‘The Americana Dream’, Maygen & The Birdwatcher fly to a higher level from which they contemplate just that, the American Dream. This looks a daunting task, but as their songs demonstrate, they express themselves lucidly. Lacey interprets that notion as “experiencing all that this country—this life, this craft as a musician—has to offer”. The record is a travelogue along which they express their love for the nature and people that surround them.
Musically, they have travelled far since they started off, sharing a stage on the way with Sierra Ferrell, Old Crow Medicine Show and Grace Potter. The album retains a live, spontaneous feel despite its relatively lengthy gestation, having been started in late 2023. Unlike its predecessor, Lacey and Neumann began recording the vocals and acoustic parts before adding strings and arrangements.
The album opens with the aptly titled ‘Gates of Heaven’, Lacey’s lone voice imploring, “Let me in, oh won’t you let me in” is almost a call to prayer. Harmonies and rhythm join in as they build up to an electric crescendo. ‘Feel Good’ does just that. Relaxed, warm vocals shine around an equally joyful fiddle. In similarly high spirits, Lacey and Neumann swap lead vocal lines on ‘Hold Ya Down’, trumpet and trombone add to the carnival atmosphere.
‘Elizabeth’ is a maternal guidance as Lacey nudges her daughter to loosen up a bit, but the message applies to anyone reluctant to let others into their lives. To another daughter, Neumann’s this time, ‘Millie Moon’ also shows his, and the band’s, love for the planet generally. Inspired by the town of Palisade in Colorado, a stop while on the road, the melody swings along to a worthy piece of advice, “Millie Moon, don’t you know?/ There’s a world of Green/ and it grows in your soul”. ‘Rhododendron’ also cherishes the natural world as mandolin and banjo give way to brass and kazoo in a glorious celebration of all that’s good in the world.
Lacey sums up the guiding principle behind this album as, “at the end of the day, we just wanted to make sure we’re doing what feels right”. They trusted their instincts, as should anyone who appreciates americana.
