Chris Smither, “Drive You Home Again” (2015): Something Else! exclusive stream

Chris Smither returns to the title track of his 1999 release on this stripped down, far more aggressive extra from the forthcoming Signature Sounds 20th Anniversary Collection: Favorite and Rarities from the Second Decade.

The original had far less rhythmic propulsion, giving it a panoramic contemplativeness. It sounded like dark night, that moment when what you can’t see begins closing in all around.

His scarifying, spare previously unheard new take — presented here as an exclusive advance stream courtesy of Signature Sounds — punches back at that night, offering the same thoughts with an edgy new force. If Chris Smither seemed to be beckoning a likewise lonely traveller before, “Drive You Home Again” now seems to promise far scarier intent.

Signature Sounds 20th Anniversary Collection: Favorite and Rarities from the Second Decade (due on March 3, 2015) includes 18 tracks in all, with 13 of them similarly unreleased. Also featured are Lake Street Dive, Signature’s breakout band; Crooked Still, Eilen Jewell and others.

Nick DeRiso

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