Mindy Smith explores home and beyond

Mindy Smith
Long Island Shores
Vanguard Records
Released Oct. 10

With Mindy Smith's sophomore release, there's no slump in sight. Her signature sound (and yes, she's the rare artist who with just one album has carved out a distinctive sound) is back on "Long Island Shores," but there's new ground broken, too. She seems a bit bolder, sassier on this album, both in the subject matter and in the unconventional melodies she tackles.

Perhaps "Out Loud," the album's immensely likable opening track (and single, insofar as an artist like Smith can have a single in these days of top 40 9 radio), is also its most representative. The melody is upbeat and beautiful, set to a shuffling rhythm. The instruments are a blend of modern and less so, with a steel guitar singing along with brushed drums. The lyrics are straightforward, but nuanced as well. In track-by-track commentary on her official Web site, Smith says she's "not just talking about war or poverty" -- two matters not expressly mentioned anywhere in the song. But nor is she "trying to wave any kind of flag. It's not a political song ... but it's not not a political song." A newcomer might take that as an attempt to be coy -- but those familiar with Smith can see what she means. Her songs have obvious meanings, and not so obvious meanings. Another example of that? One of the album's prettiest love songs, "Please Stay," is actually about her dog, Smith says.

Smith writes or co-writes (including with Beth Nielsen Chapman) every song on this album, except one written by a friend and frequent songwriting partner. The sound is cohesive, but varied enough that no songs sound alike, and there's no room for boredom. "Little Devil" is an incredibly fun, sexy song that sees Smith stretching her vocals in a new direction, as well as playing with the instrumentation -- a mandolin leads drums and some electric guitar, and it sounds like the natural-est thing around. And "What if the World Stops Turning" has Smith taking a break from her usual independence with a fun duet. But hey, if you're going to share the spotlight, it's not so bad to share with Buddy Miller, am I right?

The only weak spot may be "Tennessee," an ode to Smith's adopted home state that sounds like it was written by a fourth-grader -- and one especially gifted at the art of backhanded compliment:

Tennessee
You've been good to me.
Yes I've come to believe
You're where I want to be.
You may not be what everybody needs
But Tennessee
You're good enough for me.

I imagine Tennesse responding: "Uh, thanks. I guess."

But home, or feeling at home, is a major theme of this record (Smith is from Long Island, hence the title), and fans of Mindy Smith will have no problem settling in to this album. Newcomers, meanwhile, can find a lot to like in Smith's blend of edgy and sweet, traditional and modern, and they might just choose to stay a while.