Getting out of the big corporate rat race, and taking a lengthy sabbatical, seems to have sharpened Maria McKee's view of her craft. Always blessed with a vivid, exciting vocal power, she's starting to mature into a kind of modern Jackie DeShannon, since High Dive is packed with big, epic pop, produced for full-on effect by husband and collaborator Jim Akin. Standouts include a new take on "Life Is Sweet" and some audacious and complex ideas explored in "Non Religious Building" and the emotional range of "Love Doesn't Love". She may look like a Carson McCullers character but McKee's Southern gothic is still polished by the LA dream.
Getting out of the big corporate rat race, and taking a lengthy sabbatical, seems to have sharpened Maria McKee’s view of her craft. Always blessed with a vivid, exciting vocal power, she’s starting to mature into a kind of modern Jackie DeShannon, since High Dive is packed with big, epic pop, produced for full-on effect by husband and collaborator Jim Akin.
Standouts include a new take on “Life Is Sweet” and some audacious and complex ideas explored in “Non Religious Building” and the emotional range of “Love Doesn’t Love”.
She may look like a Carson McCullers character but McKee’s Southern gothic is still polished by the LA dream.
