Not many people grow up in Taos, N.M. That's not just because Taos isn't a big place. It's that Taos is a place where people go to, not leave from. Noelle Fiore grew up in Taos and then left for Sacramento. Luckily, she's obviously made a lot of good friends out there (The Deserters are nine in-demand California country folks), and she's got a voice and an ear for telling stories.

Noelle & the Deserters High Desert Daydream (Speakeasy Studios SF)

Her style lies largely between the early Dolly and Loretta and the whole 70s cosmic country thing, with plenty of modern americana bits thrown in here and there (and, um, some dogs barking). But despite her upbringing, this isn't some hippie chick pretending. Fiore is a full-throated country belter, and she doesn't shy away from taking on all comers.

So yes, she can sing about trucks, dogs and guns, but she tends to wander into more prosaic territory. Bad love, love that might turn good, the obligatory growing up song (named after her hometown) and speculation on just why things are. Everybody sings about these things, but few are as insightful. And when Fiore's voice fully unfurls, it's one of those weapons you'll never forget.

All of that bound up into a very traditional (for the late 60s and 70s, anyway) sound. If a movie producer was looking for original songs to suit a movie set in those times, I haven't heard anyone more qualified in years. This is a bounding, soaring ball of fun. Born to be burned into an 8-track, but luckily it's more easily accessible on your favorite streamer. Absolutely smashing.

Jon Worley