I think the best compliment I can give this album is that you can pop it in your car stereo, sit back and drive, and 34 minutes and 39 seconds later you'll be asking yourself where the last half hour went. Map has really come into their own on Secrets By the Highway (SBTH) by writing ten tracks of gorgeous, disarming, and most of all, modest music.
Map is an extremely talented group that could probably knock quite a few of your socks off if they wanted to, but they don't. They're much more interested in writing dreamy, nostalgic pop songs that are hard to be amazed by, but easy to get lost in. Most of SBTH is a relaxed, but intricate blend of piano, acoustic guitar, and light percussion with very recognizable influences from 60's folk/rock outfits like The Byrds and The Mamas and the Papas. There are also a few up-tempo numbers thrown in there for you kids who like to shake your tailfeathers... in moderation.
SBTH is not a perfect CD, and it probably won't change your life, but it is one of the most pleasant albums you're likely to hear this year.
3/4
Similar sounding releases
2001Starflyer 59Leave Here a Stranger
2003Wayne EverettKingsQueens
2004Iain ArcherFlood the Tanks
2002The BillionsNever Felt This Way Before
2000Badly Drawn BoyThe Hour of Bewilderbeast
1998The Pernice BrothersOvercome by Happiness
