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The latest release by this extremely prolific singer-songwriter from Bailey, Colorado, isn’t universes removed from his previous material. Smiley’s finds Porter speaking about life near Colfax in Capitol Hill as a poor, creative person trying to survive with his soul and creativity intact. Standout track “Wait for Another” is so evocative in its depiction of barely scraping by, using the frustration of a full #15 bus as a metaphor for missed opportunities, that it’s chilling. A rare songwriter who seems full of poignant observations and thoughtful musings and anecdotes, Porter will appeal to fans of the late Elliott Smith, who will appreciate the lo-fi, hushed yet passionate vocals that grace most of these songs. Gently poetic, elegiac and powerful, this record has no low points.
