Amanda Lee Peers
“Summertime State of Mind”
Self-released
She’s parted ways with the Driftwood Sailors, and the Sailors’ sound. Granted, Amanda Lee Peers’ voice was a huge part of the groups haunting, sexified sound as it stood loud and proud just a few clicks north of the blues, but you couldn’t always tell who was in charge. Was it Peers pulling the band, or the band pushing her? Well, it’s all a whole lot clearer on Peers’ new solo release, “Summertime State of Mind” — a percussively-driven six-song helping of sunshine. Lyrically she’s anthemic and even a bit reactionary as she invites the listener to get down. Throughout, her voice is that dusky sultry croon we’ve all grown to love. It’s a voice that drives her message home — a voice this powerful can’t possibly be made of anything but the truth.
This article appears in Jun 17-23, 2015.
