DARDEN SMITH

Marathon

dardensmith.com

While Darden Smith’s Austin upbringing might lead some to tag him as just another Texas troubadour, his recent efforts have shown some distance from his homegrown roots. While he is known to dabble in pop, Marathon reflects a darker side to his musical persona, given a set of songs united by a sense of hushed introspection. The album maintains a consistent conceptual feel that connects the steadfast sway of “Sierra Diablo” and the evocative south-of-the-border sound of “Don’t It Go to Show” to the ominous overtones of “Escalator” and “That Water.” Smith’s spare musical touches include a solitary piano linking the songs and a lonely trumpet and shimmering steel guitar accenting the arrangements. With Marathon, Smith has reached a new milestone.