Considering Taylor Brown looks about twelve years old, his fourth album, What Lies, is a spectacular collection of mature love songs. OK, so I may be exaggerating a bit about his young protégé status, he might possibly be in his twenties and has already experienced some hard knocks from love, put perhaps it’s his Quaker upbringing that makes Brown seem so innocent and un-prepped for the music business. Mind you that is part of Brown’s appeal; like his straightforward image, so are his songs. What Lies is filled with slowly paced and deliberate tracks that are enticing and poetic.



Taylor Brown has been making music on stage for quite a while now, including performing at Carnegie Hall and touring with folk artist Kate Taylor. Brown seems to be going places with his music and seems to have a great comprehension of what his own personal sound is all about. Brown’s influences range from Bob Dylan to Muddy Waters and Joni Mitchell; he will throw in a couple of more current artists like Radiohead into the mix, but he is generally inspired by the musical mavericks who paved their way with their guitars and simple but profound storytelling. Taylor Brown has evoked that same essence into his path in music.



I didn’t have to get past the first song “Multnomah Falls” before I knew Brown was making beautiful music, and followed his song selection through more compelling songs like “Alex” and the title track “What Lies”. Brown’s voice is not excellent, but it has real character and Brown seems to know how to use it, as he does the acoustic guitar. What Lies is a collection definitely worth picking up, or downloading, and keep your eyes peeled for Brown in the future, as he may hit the mainstream music scene similar to James Blunt, seemingly from out of nowhere.



Multnomah Falls

Storyteller

The End

Lucy & I

What Lies

Alex

Trains

Disconnect