AS THE CROW FLIES

Featuring songs recorded during the Mission Bell sessions in 2010, Amos Lee's 2012 EP As the Crow Flies works as a nice low-key addition to Mission Bell. Much like that album, As the Crow Flies is an earthy, heartfelt, and soulful set of cuts that showcase Lee's unique mix of singer/songwriter folk, country, and R&B. In fact, in many ways the EP is a bit more immediately engaging than its full-length predecessor, with Lee coming up with a number of catchy, melodic, and still deeply personal songs. To these ends, we get the Hall & Oates-influenced "Simple Things" and the rambling '60s-centric "Say Goodbye." Similarly compelling are such tracks as the poignant midtempo ballad "Mama Sail to Me" and the bluesy "There I Go Again." Ultimately, with songs that are as good as anything on Mission Bell, As the Crow Flies is a must-hear for Lee fans. ~ Matt Collar

• Genre: Folk, World, & Country
• Format: Vinyl
• Released: 2/14/2012