Autumn Fallin' [CD]

Folk singer Jaymay (Jamie Seerman) has been gradually building a name for herself thanks to the New York open-mic scene. Her voice is soft, warm, and relies on subtle changes of inflection and pitch around a simple base harmony to give her songs colour.

Thematically, Autumn Fallin' concerns itself with the aftermath of a promising relationship that only lasted seven months in the end. Helping to strengthen this sense of one unified theme are recurring references to autumn, New York, song-writing, sketching, and the former lover's blue eyes.

The album's undoubted centrepiece is "You'd Rather Run", which is an epic ten minutes in length. It is a slow-tempo song, which recalls Bob Dylan's "Visions of Joanna" in terms of its drawn out, detached, and detailed way of describing a relationship. In this instance, though, the singer is wondering whether there was ever much there to begin with, as perfectly captured by these lines:

It's funny what you miss, it's funny what you don't
I've thought it all through, the potential to fondly reminisce is this:
I won't.

This is particularly ironic given the opening song of "Gray Or Blue", where the relationship begins with the uncertain feelings that follow a kiss that puts a friendship at risk by having crossed the boundary into seeing can it become more than that.

Elsewhere, "Blue Skies" is a song to rise above feelings of world-weariness, as solace is sought through thoughts of great open spaces high above claustrophobic city life. Perhaps inevitably, the manner in which Jaymay sings the phrase "blue skies" does bring to mind ELO's famous song. Yet this is a number where her voice is allowed to soar that bit higher as if it was a small bird set free. She is also accompanied here by a slightly more lush arrangement of strings and a looping backing vocal track. I will eat my hat if this song does not feature on television within the year!

It is followed by "Sea Green, See Blue", which is about all of the little things that tend to be remembered about a relationship, be it untidiness, personal possessions, or even morning coffee together. In this sense, it has echoes of Regina Spektor's "That Time". The song also contains the perhaps unintentionally humorous lyrics of:

You dream, you make movies, you dance,
Moved to Montreal . . . to be closer to France
How's that working out, how's the music, how's the food
I know you won't stay there forever, I know you're gonna move

Later on, the poignant "Big Ben" continues on this theme of reminiscing over small things, but also laments the changing face of New York:

When I look at my city
Something's not right
No doubt it's so pretty
But they turned out the light
And instead of good morning
They tell you goodnight

Perhaps the other song worth mentioning is "Hard To Say". Here Jaymay experiments with a jazzy scat-style that does not fit terribly well with the rest of the album. However, when listened to in isolation, it does reveal whole other aspects to her voice, which would be interesting to hear explored on future recordings.

Turning back to this album, though, it is a work of such gentle, sedate, and unassuming quality that the casual listener risks moving on without ever properly appreciating its fine songwriting and delicate charms. However, there is real merit in taking the time to allow this album to grow on you. Indeed, as a suggestion, try playing these songs on a lie-in, allow no other distractions, and just enjoy the pleasures of an unhurried, peaceful universe. Great beauty can often be found in the simplest of things.

This has to be the most laid back but thoughtful cd released during 2006. The lyrics are simple but weaved into music which is memorable, gentle and real. Simplicity in lyrics means that they are accessible without being pretentious, the sort of lyrics which you find yourself singing and feeling as though you've known them forever. A cd to include in any "favourites" collection; no "showbiz", no "hype" just Jaymay.

A beautiful record. If simple, sparse indie folk is your thing you will love it. The tunes are strong all through to the end. The lyrics are thoughtful and sprinkled with New York references that provide the context for the whole album. Jaymay sings naturally and with her accent to the fore. It is not forced so you feel like you're in the same room and not like you're listening to someone trying hard to perform. Bought three years ago and still play it every week or so.