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