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Contributed by Trevor Meyer

Recently, I had the pleasure of listening to Mike Higbee’s new album, Secret Life. The New York native released the album last month. This album is refreshing, not to mention, incredibly diverse. Higbee’s sincere, emotive writing and ability to facilitate different moods and themes are ever-present in this collection. Some of Higbee’s ballads such as “All I Should Have Told You” and “Hotel Lights” remind me of the Moody Blues and Elliot Smith. His vocal work on “Love Letter” (another gorgeous ballad) is beautiful and restrained – providing hanging notes over an extended range of pitches. Secret Life infuses folk, post rock, soul, waltz music, and pop weaved together with stunning dissonant harmonies and thought-provoking lyrics. My favorite track is the slow burner “The Waltz of Dead Love.” Well done, Mr. Higbee, I applaud you. 

THE DELI MAGAZINE

Contributed by Mike Levine

Mike Higbee is the ghost of Roy Orbison riding on Hank Williams' horse over to the saloon for a cold, hard drink. A man who most likely grew up listening to the King from his hometown of Paris and dreaming of the 'Donna' of Ritche Valens' genius, Higbee has resurrected the spirit of Nashville for New York in his latest LP 'Secret Life.'

From accordion-backed love songs (Love of My Life) to raucous barnburners like the eponymous 'Secret Life,' and even covering a song by Parisian singer Manu Chao ('La Primavera'), Higbee proves he's up to the task of carving out a complete statement by re-shaping the forgotten ghosts of rustic Americana to his liking.

Perhaps it took someone born in Paris to reinvent our own history for us.