Jessica Lea Mayfield's "Tell Me" Features "Gorgeous Vocals, Breathtaking Production, Great Songs" (American Songwriter)

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Jessica Lea Mayfield new album, Tell Me, was released yesterday to rave reviews. "[O]ur advance copy of Jessica Lea Mayfield’s Tell Me was one of the few things keeping us sane during this long, dark, miserable winter," raves American Songwriter, citing the album's "gorgeous vocals, breathtaking production and, most importantly, great songs." Says PopMatters: "Tell Me manages to maintain the beautifully busted feel of Mayfield’s breakout record, but also succeeds in a new and ambitious sonic landscape." She continues her tour with Justin Townes Earle this week.

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Jessica Lea Mayfield's Nonesuch debut album, Tell Me, produced by The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach, was released yesterday to rave reviews, making the New York Times's Critics' Choice and being described as "full of delights throughout" by the AP, "fascinating" by the Los Angeles Times, and "seductive" by the Boston Globe. Mayfield was in her hometown of Kent, Ohio, performing at the Kent Stage with Justin Townes Earle last night. The two continue their tour through the Midwest with a stop at the Magic Stick in Detroit tonight.

American Songwriter gives Tell Me four stars. "Let’s not mince words," says reviewer Sean L. Maloney, "our advance copy of Jessica Lea Mayfield’s Tell Me was one of the few things keeping us sane during this long, dark, miserable winter."

While the new album may cover some of the darker sides of relationships, it remains "one of the rare records that will make you feel all warm and fuzzy" while doing so, Maloney explains. "[M]isery does in fact love company, especially when it’s decked out in gorgeous vocals, breathtaking production and, most importantly, great songs."

Maloney cites two of the album's tracks in particular, "Trouble" and "Our Hearts re Wrong," as songs that "have so much depth, both sonically and lyrically, it’s almost impossible to not curl up with them and pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist. Which is exactly what we plan on doing until spring comes."

Read the four-star review at americansongwriter.com.

---

The PopMatters album review notes how far Mayfield has come from her much-loved debut album, With Blasphemy So Heartfelt. "Organs, electric guitars, echoing drums, and even Mayfield’s own harrowing voice all stretch farther here, and rumble deeper," writes reviewer Matthew Fiander, who describes Tell Me as "far more adventurous and tuneful than its predecessor."

Fiander goes on to credit the "surprising maturity and complexity" in the young songwriter's lyrics, then notes how her vocals have evolved since the earlier record as well. "Her haunting deadpan has bloomed into something more melodic and, as a result, more surprising," he writes. "Tell Me manages to maintain the beautifully busted feel of Mayfield’s breakout record, but also succeeds in a new and ambitious sonic landscape."

Read the complete review at popmatters.com.

---

To pick up a copy of Tell Me on CD and pre-order the vinyl (due out February 22), head to the Nonesuch Store, where all orders include high-quality, 320 kbps MP3s of the complete album at checkout. Nonesuch Store downloads also include the exclusive bonus download "I'll Be the One You Want Someday (Live)."

Mayfield's tour with Justin Townes Earle continues through Valentine's Day, after which she will join the Avett Brothers for a few performances. She launches a headline tour in March. For more information, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour.

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Jessica Lea Mayfield: "Tell Me" [cover]
  • Wednesday, February 9, 2011
    Jessica Lea Mayfield's "Tell Me" Features "Gorgeous Vocals, Breathtaking Production, Great Songs" (American Songwriter)

    Jessica Lea Mayfield's Nonesuch debut album, Tell Me, produced by The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach, was released yesterday to rave reviews, making the New York Times's Critics' Choice and being described as "full of delights throughout" by the AP, "fascinating" by the Los Angeles Times, and "seductive" by the Boston Globe. Mayfield was in her hometown of Kent, Ohio, performing at the Kent Stage with Justin Townes Earle last night. The two continue their tour through the Midwest with a stop at the Magic Stick in Detroit tonight.

    American Songwriter gives Tell Me four stars. "Let’s not mince words," says reviewer Sean L. Maloney, "our advance copy of Jessica Lea Mayfield’s Tell Me was one of the few things keeping us sane during this long, dark, miserable winter."

    While the new album may cover some of the darker sides of relationships, it remains "one of the rare records that will make you feel all warm and fuzzy" while doing so, Maloney explains. "[M]isery does in fact love company, especially when it’s decked out in gorgeous vocals, breathtaking production and, most importantly, great songs."

    Maloney cites two of the album's tracks in particular, "Trouble" and "Our Hearts re Wrong," as songs that "have so much depth, both sonically and lyrically, it’s almost impossible to not curl up with them and pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist. Which is exactly what we plan on doing until spring comes."

    Read the four-star review at americansongwriter.com.

    ---

    The PopMatters album review notes how far Mayfield has come from her much-loved debut album, With Blasphemy So Heartfelt. "Organs, electric guitars, echoing drums, and even Mayfield’s own harrowing voice all stretch farther here, and rumble deeper," writes reviewer Matthew Fiander, who describes Tell Me as "far more adventurous and tuneful than its predecessor."

    Fiander goes on to credit the "surprising maturity and complexity" in the young songwriter's lyrics, then notes how her vocals have evolved since the earlier record as well. "Her haunting deadpan has bloomed into something more melodic and, as a result, more surprising," he writes. "Tell Me manages to maintain the beautifully busted feel of Mayfield’s breakout record, but also succeeds in a new and ambitious sonic landscape."

    Read the complete review at popmatters.com.

    ---

    To pick up a copy of Tell Me on CD and pre-order the vinyl (due out February 22), head to the Nonesuch Store, where all orders include high-quality, 320 kbps MP3s of the complete album at checkout. Nonesuch Store downloads also include the exclusive bonus download "I'll Be the One You Want Someday (Live)."

    Mayfield's tour with Justin Townes Earle continues through Valentine's Day, after which she will join the Avett Brothers for a few performances. She launches a headline tour in March. For more information, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour.

    Journal Articles:Reviews

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