Something About Knowing is not simply an album that brings all the musical experiences that Maria Taylor has mastered to this point — it’s about the way her life has changed since becoming a mother. Her life certainly seems to a happy one, because the sad moments that found their way onto previous albums like 2009’s Lady Luck and 2011’s Overlook have disappeared.
Highlights include “Lullaby for You” and “Saturday in June,” two dreamy pieces that reflect the joy of the motherhood without sounding too cheesy. One usually has such an uncomfortable feeling in their stomach when singers sing about the bliss of motherhood. Alanis Morissette’s and Heather Nova’s albums showed how poorly you can express these feelings musically. But with the bluesy stomper “Up All Night,” Taylor illustrates that a mother’s happiness does not always automatically mean reducing yourself to lullaby songs.
Taylor is talented songwriter, and her close cooperation with Bright Eyes, Rich Shapero and Whisper Town have clearly expanded her musical range — assuring that her songs don’t become too sugary. The fact that she is again reunited with Bright Eyes producer Mike Moggis is also a positive decision. When it comes to an album which has to sound melodic and dreamy, but at the same time also rhythmic, he is the right man for it.
For this album, the old adage “never judge a book by its cover” applies. This fifth Taylor project is a varied and appealing mix of great songs.
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