Quinn Devlin - “Gracie Lake”

It is not at all difficult to recognize a Quinn Devlin tune when you hear one and, today, he returns to the blog with the folksy and dreamy sounds of “Gracie Lake.”

The track fades in with an ethereal tone before the rhythm section appears, filled to its capacity with some thick bass notes and vintage-tinged percussion. The hints of acoustic guitar flood the song’s underbelly, but the spotlight is on Devlin’s vocal, which begins at this point as well. We cannot help but draw comparisons to the emotional tones of Elliott Smith and the storytelling of Bob Dylan, while also basking in the unique mood that only Devlin can provide.

Soft piano joins the arrangement, adding to its gentle sway, perfect for those late-night drives to nowhere as you quietly contemplate life and love, the past and the future. Soft harmonies line the production, adding to the heaping portions of ear candy that are frequently available in Devlin’s music. With each of his songs, you can always count on a dreamlike experience, and “Gracie Lake” is no exception, with its glorious moments of reverberating guitar and cinematic lap steel.

This tune has all the appeal of the late 1960s, as it does not sacrifice any authenticity for modern, digital production trickery. Everything sounds exactly the way it should, performed flawlessly, lending to the idea that it would translate to a live performance site wonderfully. If you’ve never before heard a Quinn Devlin song, it’s high time time that you press play on “Gracie Lake.”

-HD