Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Over two full-lengths and one EP, Nashville's Caroline Spence has shown an uncanny knack for portraying the complexities of the human condition in poetically candid little vignettes of warm and weary Americana. Her second LP, 2017's Spades & Roses, earned enough respect and critical acclaim to net her a deal with Rounder Records, the veteran roots-driven label behind her third outing, Mint Condition. Produced by Dan Knobler (Lake Street Dive, Erin Rae), the 11-track set takes no great stylistic leaps, but offers a continued evolution of the journey Spence has been on since she debuted back in 2013. Her strengths as a storyteller play out over 11 well-crafted songs that alternately explore her own personal introspections or the twisting paths of those around her. As a songwriter, people remain Spence's ultimate source of inspiration, a trait she confesses to on the early standout "Song About a City," which name-drops various destinations along her route which she could never manage to immortalize in song. It's a clever little hook, though she's generally more prone to poignant observations like on the moving "Sometimes a Woman Is and Island" or "Sit Here and Love Me." Most of Mint Condition rolls by in an easy flow of gently strummed midtempo balladry with appropriately atmospheric electric guitar and piano support, though there are a handful of country-driven rockers that quicken the pace here and there. Opener "What You Don't Know" growls along with a particularly enchanting dark-hued chorus while the tuneful "Long Haul" adds a lovely bit of jangling county-pop sensibility to the collection. Closing out the album is the contemplative title cut whose choruses are supported to great effect by the willowy voice of the great Emmylou Harris, an artist to which Spence has received occasional comparisons. As with her previous albums there's nothing showy here, just quality songwriting sung and arranged with a subtlety that suits it.
© Timothy Monger /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From £10.83/month
Dan Knobler, Producer - Caroline Spence, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2019 Rounder Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
Dan Knobler, Producer - Caroline Spence, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2019 Rounder Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
Ashley Ray, ComposerLyricist - Dan Knobler, Producer - Caroline Spence, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2019 Rounder Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
Dan Knobler, Producer - Caroline Spence, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2019 Rounder Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
Dan Knobler, Producer - Caroline Spence, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2019 Rounder Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
Dan Knobler, Producer, Recording Producer - Caroline Spence, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2019 Rounder Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
Dan Knobler, Producer - Caroline Spence, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2019 Rounder Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
Dan Knobler, Producer - Caroline Spence, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2019 Rounder Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
Dan Knobler, Producer - Caroline Spence, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2019 Rounder Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
Dan Knobler, Producer - Caroline Spence, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2019 Rounder Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
Dan Knobler, Producer - Caroline Spence, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2019 Rounder Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
Album review
Over two full-lengths and one EP, Nashville's Caroline Spence has shown an uncanny knack for portraying the complexities of the human condition in poetically candid little vignettes of warm and weary Americana. Her second LP, 2017's Spades & Roses, earned enough respect and critical acclaim to net her a deal with Rounder Records, the veteran roots-driven label behind her third outing, Mint Condition. Produced by Dan Knobler (Lake Street Dive, Erin Rae), the 11-track set takes no great stylistic leaps, but offers a continued evolution of the journey Spence has been on since she debuted back in 2013. Her strengths as a storyteller play out over 11 well-crafted songs that alternately explore her own personal introspections or the twisting paths of those around her. As a songwriter, people remain Spence's ultimate source of inspiration, a trait she confesses to on the early standout "Song About a City," which name-drops various destinations along her route which she could never manage to immortalize in song. It's a clever little hook, though she's generally more prone to poignant observations like on the moving "Sometimes a Woman Is and Island" or "Sit Here and Love Me." Most of Mint Condition rolls by in an easy flow of gently strummed midtempo balladry with appropriately atmospheric electric guitar and piano support, though there are a handful of country-driven rockers that quicken the pace here and there. Opener "What You Don't Know" growls along with a particularly enchanting dark-hued chorus while the tuneful "Long Haul" adds a lovely bit of jangling county-pop sensibility to the collection. Closing out the album is the contemplative title cut whose choruses are supported to great effect by the willowy voice of the great Emmylou Harris, an artist to which Spence has received occasional comparisons. As with her previous albums there's nothing showy here, just quality songwriting sung and arranged with a subtlety that suits it.
© Timothy Monger /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 11 track(s)
- Total length: 00:42:33
- Main artists: Caroline Spence
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Rounder
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
© 2019 Rounder Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc. ℗ 2019 Rounder Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.