ROUTES & BRANCHES

featuring the very best of americana, alt.country and roots music
February 23, 2020
Scott Foley, purveyor of dust

About two years ago, Nashville singer-songwriter Katie Pruitt stirred up some expectations with the release of a six song OurVinyl session.  Originally from the Atlanta region, Pruitt relocated to Music City and spent about four years workshopping the songs that would compose her debut full-length, a collection she calls Expectations just released on the Rounder label.  In interviews, she has intimated how the tunes fall in a rough chronological order, sharing her story of growing up, coming out and finding traction and some degree of self-acceptance.  Every song is a specific personal revelation I had at different points in my life ... This record is my own personal coming of age story.

Pruitt flirted with a couple higher-profile producers before convincing her label to let her work with friend and bandmate (and first-time co-producer) Michael Robinson.  Together, they've created a record that is both lush and intimate, a song cycle that showcases the artist as a stunning vocalist and a writer to watch out for.  Strings and synths compliment more standard instrumentation, checking boxes for country, contemporary folk and pop in a way we haven't heard since Kacey Musgraves' celebrated Golden Hour.

Cowriting is the rule du jour in Nashville, where it's not uncommon to find three or four names behind a song, folks who might be experts in constructing a hook or whipping up an effective bridge or a beat.  Katie Pruitt is the sole writer behind the majority of Expectations' cuts, a fact that assures the very personal nature of the collection.  In her case, this translates to stories about gathering her courage and finding her place in the religiously and socially conservative South.  When I think of Georgia, I think of you she sings.  High as a kite in the second pew / You were my best friend, the light of my youth / And the only one back then that knew the whole truth.  On piano and strings, "Georgia" paints the heartbreaking portrait of the artist as a young woman, poised on the cusp of leaving all she's known for the promise of a place past the Georgia pines / And people who welcome you with an open mind.

The songs and the sentiments can be raw and emotionally direct, but Expectations is never theatrical or didactic.  Rather, the drama is communicated in the thoughtful arrangements and in Pruitt's uncommonly capable voice.  With its chiming electric guitar and ambient percussion, "Normal" permits us a glimpse into the girl's Catholic school upbringing.  Torn between the universal urge to fit in and a desire to explore her genuine feelings, Pruitt sings: I tried my best, but god damn I was curious.  "Loving Her" is a soulful country-leaning number that betrays the sweet breaks and sharp corners of her voice.

The validity of Katie Pruitt's message can't be overstated.  Nevertheless, she is as skilled a songwriter as she is a storyteller.  Musically, the collection works its magic in that evocative spot at the intersection of country, folk and pop.  In addition to Musgraves, her musical choices find a commonality with Caroline Spence or Brandi Carlile, whose plaintive voice shares certain qualities with Pruitt's.  Expectations is at its best when the artist indulges her ear for a melodic line or pop hook as in the breezy "Out Of the Blue", which also features Pruitt's most impressive vocal.  The title track opts for a 90s Fleetwood Mac vibe, with keys and biting guitars.

Credit is due to Pruitt for taking her time to mine for a sound and a spirit all her own, rather than simply giving into Music City's notorious pressure to conform.  It's that liberation that can be found in shedding expectations (socially as well as musically) that makes Pruitt's debut such a victory.  The artist states it best herself:  There is wisdom in not knowing, there is freedom in spontaneity and there is courage in letting go.  Sometimes you just need to climb a mountain, smoke some pot with your friends, and stop giving so many fucks.


- Lilly Hiatt, "Candy Lunch" Walking Proof  (New West, Mar 27)
- Sadler Vaden, "Modern Times" Anybody Out There  (Dirty Mag, Mar 6)
- Ashley McBryde, "First Thing I Reach For" Never Will  (Warner, Apr 3)
- Brent Cobb, "Lavenders & Loving Gestures" No Place Left to Leave  (Ol' Buddy, 20/06)
- Whiskeytown, "Wither I'm a Flower" Strangers Almanac  (Geffen, 97)
- Nora Jane Struthers, "Good Thing" Bright Lights Long Drives First Words  (Blue Pig, 20)
- Tender Things, "How You Make a Fool" How You Make a Fool  (Ebaugh, Mar 27)  D
- Western Centuries, "Heart Broke Syndrome" Call the Captain  (Free Dirt, Apr 3)
- James Steinle, "Sentimental Plague" What I Came Here For  (Steinle, 20)
^ Katie Pruitt, "Georgia" Expectations  (Rounder, 20)
- Cave Flowers, "Renters Life" Cave Flowers  (Hard Bark, 20)
- Caleb Caudle, "Let's Get" Better Hurry Up  (Baldwin County Public Records, Apr 3)
- Drive-by Truckers, "Slow Ride Argument" The Unraveling  (ATO, 20)
- Shelby Lynne, "Don't Even Believe In Love" Shelby Lynne  (Everso, Apr 17)
- Jason & the Scorchers, "Harvest Moon" Fervor EP  (EMI, 83)
- Vandoliers, "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" single  (Bloodshot, 20)  D
- Waxahatchee, "Lilacs" Saint Cloud  (Merge, Mar 27)
- Mark Erelli, "Blindsided" Blindsided   (Hillbilly Pilgrim, Mar 27)
- Samantha Crain, "Garden Dove" Small Death  (Ramseur, May 1)
- Honey Harper, "Tomorrow Never Comes" Starmaker  (ATO, Mar 6)
- Nathaniel Rateliff, "Tonight #2" And It's Still Alright  (Stax, 20)
- Red Red Meat, "There's a Star Above the Manger Tonight" There's a Star ...  (Sub Pop, 97)
- Deau Eyes, "Some Do" Let It Leave  (Egghunt, May 8)  D
- Archers of Loaf, "Raleigh Days" single  (Merge, 20)  D
- White Buffalo, "The Rapture" On the Widow's Walk  (Snakefarm, Apr 17)  D
- Lucero, "Chain Link Fence" Tennessee  (Madjack, 02)
- Ron Pope, "Bone Structure" Bone Structure  (Brooklyn Basement, Mar 6)
- Gretchen Peters, "Night You Wrote That Song" Night You Wrote That Song  (Scarlet Letter, May 15)  D
- Peter Oren, "Gnawed To the Bone (Come By)" Greener Pasture  (Western Vinyl, Apr 24)  D
- Caitlin Cary, "Pony" While You Weren't Looking  (Yep Roc, 02)

It's the fuel that feeds this fire, our obsessively updated new release calendar we call A Routes & Branches Guide To Feeding Your Monster.  Every week about this place, we'll clue you in on a couple of the more eagerly anticipated records on the horizon.  This way, you'll have little excuse for keeping tabs on what's what in the murky and troubling world of americana, alt.country and roots music.  F'rinstance ...  We've known for a few months about American Aquarium's forthcoming Lamentations CD.  This week we learned that it'll hit shelves May 1 via New West Records.  The Tender Things are a new band to me - this is fine.  Looking forward to March 27 to find out more about How You Make a Fool.  Increasingly in-demand producer Shooter Jennings is producing White Buffalo's seventh full-length.  On the Widow's Walk comes our way April 17 via Snakefarm.  Western Vinyl will be the home for Indiana left-of-center folker Peter Oren's forthcoming Greener Pasture (April 24).  And stellar writer Gretchen Peters pays tribute to stellar writer Mickey Newbury on her next album.  Expect The Night You Wrote That Song on May 15 via Peters' own Scarlet Letter label.  

Earlier ROUTES-casts have been removed; subscribe to our Spotify page to keep up with all our new playlists!