Page France’s Hello, Dear Wind, is a return to the innocence of days perhaps gone – when kids believed in miracles and the idea that they could change the world if they just put their mind to it. The new album is a 14-track bond-session that rejoices in its endearing acoustics and the vocals of Whitney McGraw. Originally from Maryland, Page France, composed of frontman and lead song-writer, Michael Nau, Clinton Jones, McGraw, Bryan Martin and Jasen Reeder, is a group whose name derives from a bedtime story entitled Tomorrow Will Soon Be Bright. Their second release emerges less than a year from the debut of Come, I’m A Lion (The Orchard) and contains elements more visual than the first project. “There are a lot of uppers on it…and I think that it will keep you on your toes a bit more than Lion,” Nau said. “It feels more organic and warm to me.” Dear Wind manages to illustrate a sophisticated fable, while recounting early school song rituals as a complete musical whole that communicates to both the pious and the faithless, despite the Christian imagery inherent throughout the album. “Jesus” is a universal cover to Bible studies, which effectively anchors Dear Wind’s rosy palette – “Jesus will dance while we drink his wine” / “Jesus will come through the ground so dirty with worms in his hair and a hand so sturdy”. However, the tambourine and accordion throughout “Elephant” and “Windy” add an uplifting carnival to the reminiscent trek back to the age when good times were a day off from minding manner. Dear Wind employs a commendable pot of acoustics and imagery and song-writing to narrate your next hopeful moment. Don’t mistake this as a typical “Kumbaya” substitute, but if you’re feeling that old school – by all means. I won’t tell if you won’t.

Page France
Fall

1. Download – Immaculate Machine “Dear Confessor”
2. The Wrens Want Their Records Back, Wind-Up Says “NO”
3. Live – Silversun Pickups, Page France @ Schubas | CHI
4. Dear Catastrophe Waitress
5. Loney Dear – “Airport Surroundings”