Sean McConnell follows up his well-received 2019 album SECOND HAND SMOKE with a brand new collection of songs primed to raise his standing as an esteemed singer-songwriter bobbing in the spacious waters between mainstream country, Americana and heartland rock. From the swirling confusing imagery of the album cover, A HORRIBLE BEAUTIFUL DREAM is a reflective album taking stock while depicting an artist seeking a sound footing in an ever changing world.
The last few years has seen Sean McConnell raise his profile in the UK including a spot on the Front Porch stage at the Long Road Festival. Time has been spent assessing his pitch in the vast pool of American singer-songwriter music and the new album extends this exploration through thirteen fresh tracks mainly of a solo write origin. This status doesn't really define McConnell as an artist as evidenced by four collaborative tracks on the album including familiar names Natalie Hemby, Dan Tyminski and the Wood Brothers. However one assertion from digging deep into this release is that Sean McConnell stands tall as a solo performing artist and owns the road even on songs where a full band sound ramps up the engine.
The tempo of the album sways with an array of moods on display. The level headed McConnell stays in control curating a sound that doesn't shy away from courting convention and mainstream sentiment. Yet underpinning moments when you feel in the presence of someone conforming to a playbook is a sincere songwriter without compromise in material covered and fine tuning a craft to score a meaningful accessible song.
It's brave to associate McConnell's sound as similar to Jason Isbell in the honest opener 'Still Believe in You' where the imaginative writing extends to 'civil war between my heart and head'. Another key moment in the album's early stages is the single 'The 13th Apostle' featuring The Wood Brothers and one example of imprinting his faith into the songwriting process.
As the album eases through its phases, three tracks stand out as ones to watch. 'The Wonder Years' is a slice of piano introduced nostalgia blessed with a good build up and a decent chorus referencing the 'Queen of Ellis Island'. This track evokes memories of the song that first introduced me to Sean McConnell in 2016's 'Queen of Saint Mary's Choir'. A few tracks later in the running order 'Used to Think I Know' unwraps as a fine road song with a good melody. The top trio concludes with the penultimate song 'As the Curtain Curtain Came Down' featuring Audra Mae and Dan Tyminski slowing things down with a good dose of harmonica utilised.
Elsewhere things almost grind to a halt with the minimal after-thought closing track 'Remember You're Here', while there are live ballad vibes circulating around 'Leave a Light On'. The band side of Sean McConnell comes to the fore in the big fuller sound to 'What the Hell is Wrong With Me' featuring Fancy Hagood, and a track with heartland rock sensibilities. Things get deep in 'Getting Somewhere' and for a slice of diversity 'I Built You Up' brings a soulful gospel sound to the party.
A HORRIBLE BEAUTIFUL DREAM is a rewarding album to spend a little time with. Does it enhance Sean McConnell's standing in wider American singer-songwriter circles? Yes. Does it help better define what Sean McConnell is about? A little. Do you think there is a lot more to come from Sean McConnell? Certainly. Anyhow, let us park the conjecture and analysis to exist in the present enjoying what ultimately proves to be a highly satisfying album.