Album Review: Mission Bell - Amos Lee

It's a pity summer's been and gone because this is an awesome plains-driving, road-trip soundtrack full of uplifting yet mellow sounds. Lee's fourth studio album, which topped the US charts, is framed by the quiet, catchy track El Camino and its reprise, the latter featuring country legend Willie Nelson.
It's not all country here - Lee runs the full American gamut, mashing folk with soul, blues and jazz across the 12 and a bit tracks, and the styles never seem to clash. Windows Are Rolled Down's acoustic jangle could be from Ryan Adams' New York, New York, while Jesus could be Robert Cray, and Cup of Sorrow brings back old-time gospel.
But the standout track stays away from easy classification. Stay With Me is a slow, poignant number with mostly subtle instrumentation that still manages to soar.
4/5