Susan Cain, in her brilliant book ‘Quiet’, celebrated introverts and argued ‘culture is biased against quiet and reserved people, but introverts are responsible for some of humanity’s greatest achievements.’
The problem with being ‘quiet’ unfortunately is that sometimes you don’t get noticed for what you’ve achieved. Those who can shout and dance and sell themselves, or who can pay others who can do this for them, grab most of the attention.
Twenty years have passed since Mindy Smith won the ‘Emerging Artist of the Year’ trophy at the Americana Awards, and twelve years since her last album. She’s been busy in that time, writing for others, working on songs, searching for herself in other ways by reconnecting with her birth family. This new album ‘Quiet Town’ is a welcome return and a chance to celebrate her quietly powerful artistic achievements.
Why then has one of our genre’s outstanding talents been away so long? The same album gap issue has affected the careers of Nanci Griffith, Caitlin Rose, even Lucinda Williams to some extent (although she’s making up for lost time now). Mindy has admitted that in her career she was “held back by questioning my worth.”
The title track is about the changes that have occurred in Nashville, and her wish to go back to when it was a ‘Quiet Town’. The sentiment can be extended to the music industry itself, thinking back to a time before the internet where quieter musical careers could flourish. The song itself is beautiful, wistful, starting from a place of contemplation before opening out an invitation to all the other dreamers who also wish they could live in a ‘quiet town.’
Much of the album is searching, such as on ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ which reckons with faith and how to live a good life. The search isn’t easy, as ‘Peace Still Eludes’ attests. Both songs showcase the vulnerable beauty of her voice, showing that music itself offers that calm which many are looking for.
While the songs are understated in style, they are still very engaging to my ears. ‘Every Once in a While’ is very upbeat and catchy and ‘Light of Mine’ is a perfect song about finding the joy and faith even in the darkest of times.
‘I’d Rather Be A Bridge’ is a poignant, perfect response to the madness of this world. Bridges connect us, bring us together, offer us new directions. The piano works perfectly here, along with the vocal harmonies. In fractured times music might be the only bridge that offers us hope for harmony and connection.
The moving ‘Something to Write in Stone’ and ‘Hour of My Departure’ were inspired by her experiences reconnecting with her birth family, and are testament to the subtle power of her voice.
‘Quiet Town’ reclaims the word ‘quiet’ and tries to find confidence and contentment in knowing who you are and where you belong in the world. The songs whisper sometimes. Breathe. Make you move your ear closer. They don’t force themselves on the listener. They ask you only to stop and pay attention.
A welcome reminder to always listen to the quiet ones.
BUY: https://www.roughtrade.com/en-gb/product/mindy-smith/quiet-town-2
https://mindysmith.bandcamp.com/album/quiet-town
LISTEN
Highway Queens 
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