Blossoming and truly unique, Miss America (1988), the most acclaimed album by self proclaimed “ancient baby who’s cranium never quite fused together” singer, Mary Margaret O’Hara, is a strangely disembodied ode to pastoral Americana, combined with the sweeping dynamics and ambient motifs of Brian Eno’s Discreet Music and the joyous provocations and minutiae of Paul Simon’s Graceland. It is a very strange place she finds herself in, but her flawless diamond soprano combined with the easy musical stylings of the music make her a peach. Sweet, juicy, and warm, Miss America dabbles in jazz (“Keeping You in Mind”), country (“Anew Day”) and shape-shifting pop-rock romanticism (“Year in Song”), but she never sacrifices herself to the pagan influence of her peers or contemporaries; she is seemingly singular, but so familiar - she can be found in present day chanteuses like Norah Jones or Lucinda Williams because she is so non-specific, but so generally hard to classify. Undeniably great and soulful, Miss America is a necessity for any serious listener of any sort of music.
Listen to “Year in Song”
Download “Miss America“
Editor’s Note: Recommended by the wonderful Smut To-Go, thanks!
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