Dan’s DJ Pick of the Week is “Jericho” by Mindy Smith!
“Jericho” presents a beautiful take on impending life changes and anticipation of the unknown to come. The biblical story goes- God tells the Israelites to march around the walls of Jericho once a day for six days, and seven times on the seventh day. After that, the walls of Jericho fell and the Israelites were able to conquer the city. Smith’s song paints a picture of traveling through the desert. The build of anticipation you feel when moving to your destination- not knowing what’s to come. In the case of “Jericho”, there’s no literal journey, but a metaphorical one. It symbolizes the anticipation of an impending monumental life change. The feeling that something big and new is coming and how that is both exciting and terrifying.
This track comes off of Mindy Smith’s sixth studio album Quiet Town. The album catapults Smith back into the spotlight, with it being the first album of original work she’s released in 12 years. Her Americana come back sounds more traditional than her past works. The tone is warm and reminiscent of artists such as Emmylou Harris and Nanci Griffith. The song slowly simmers consistently, a looming feeling behind the build. Her guitar melody is hard hitting and exciting and perfectly balanced by the track’s background vocals. “Old-time gospel on the radio / I saw the signs on the desert road shoulder / Raising up hell like a holy roller”.
Listen to “Jericho” below and stream Quiet Town!
Tune in to 100.1 FM or lightning100.com all day to hear “Jericho” by Mindy Smith, Dan’s DJ Pick of the Week! Share your thoughts on the track by tagging #L100DJPicks on Twitter!