Megan Bee - Waiting

Megan Bee

Waiting
​self-released; 2020

4.1 out of 5 - TOP ALBUM

By Dan Weston

Megan Bee is a musician from Athens, Ohio.  We at Divide and Conquer reviewed the release Like A Canyon back in 2017. She is back with Waiting. The album deals with broad and universal themes. She mentions that Waiting is  “a humble collection of deep songs of loving, yearning, and waiting.” I won’t be as humble. This is a beautiful album that is warm and inviting. 

The album revolves around some folk, country and Americana. Perhaps more importantly is this album is incredibly organic sounding. It sounds pure and human throughout. I attribute this to the performance and songwriting but as an engineer myself I really need to complement the recording quality which captures the fidelity of the sounds.

“Middle Of The Morning” is the opener. The instrumentation revolves around acoustic guitar and what sounds like mandolin. As fantastic as the instrumentation is the vocals from Bee are truly exceptional. It’s really the multiple layers of emotion she can deliver such melancholy, reflection, nostalgia and hope within a single sentence that makes it powerful. 

That array of emotions is found on the next song “Waiting On The Wind” as well as the warm glow of “Rock & Roll.” “Back Home Again” felt like a turning point in some ways. Drums in the form of brush work enter into this song. Her vocals are fairly vibrant here and I was picking up on some Janis Joplin vibes with this vocal performance in particular.

“I Love You” is beautifully minimal while “You Are The Moon,” “Church Bells” and”Dreams I Don't Remember” revisits the more reflective and melancholy vibes that were apparent towards the beginning of the album.

​The closer “Take Your Time” might be the highlight. The fiddle was a nice addition. I think the thing I loved about this song was the near perfect mix of emotion. It avoids feeling saccharine and instead feels heartfelt, tender and honest.  

​It’s really hard to beat when this level of production meets this talent of a musician. The result feels symbiotic as they work together and create an exceptional piece of art. Highly recommended.

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