The title of Sally Taylor's second full-length release was inspired by the childhood New York City apartment she shared with her mother, singer Carly Simon. The 12 songs on Apt. 6S are graceful and sincere, oozing with the subtle charms of acoustic pop met with breezy melodies, worldly percussion, soothing horns, and luxurious keys. Apt. 6S honestly tells musical tales about people and their experiences along life's emotional journeys, and Taylor's sweetly harmonious delivery is certain to bring a smile to the face of anyone listening to these heartfelt songs. There is intelligence in her feminine reflections, as when she sings of being caught in the dilemma of whether to leave an unfulfilling relationship or to try and stick it out in "Split Decisions" (featuring brother Ben Taylor on backing vocals). Similarly, in the jazzy, horn-inflected "Fall 4 Me," conflicting emotions involved in facing an untrue love is expressed with keen lyrical shades ("Did you sleep in your lies/did you lie in my dreams?"). From the reverent keyboards of the beseeching Tori Amos-like ballad "Give Me the Strength" to the Trisha Yearwood feel of "March Like Soldiers," Taylor's uncanny ability to convey deep feeling with the lightest of strokes puts her right up there with other latter-day '90s singer/songwriter women (Sheryl Crow, Sarah McLachlan, Paula Cole), and confirms she can hold her place among the best of them.
© Roxanne Blanford /TiVo