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Blue Line HighwayLife in a Minor Key(Lost Cat) US release date: 2007 by Jason MacNeilThis Virginia band would fall off the Indigo Girls wagon in a heartbeat, especially if one uses the leadoff song “Deliver” as a measuring stick. Rooted in folk yet with subtle pop overtones, the band is lead by the pretty vocals of Julia Dooley with harmonies by Melissa McKenna. But at times the band opts for a soulful flavor, as is the case with the percussion-fuelled title track. The problem with a few songs here is they are too long, opting for a fleshed out arrangement when one isn’t really necessary during “River Canyon” and especially on the nearly eight-minute “Bound”. Blue Line Highway are better than average, though, with “Green Haze” having a roots-y flow from start to finish, and the impressive, train-chugging “Heart Around”. The group rounds the record out with a rather decent but not impressive “Valentine” that closes nicely and “Everybody Knows”, which shows another Americana, toe-tapping side to the band.
— 11 May 2007
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