La Grande

This time last year musical proceedings were kicked off with the release of the The Decemberists "King is dead" an album of warm Americana from Portland Oregon's finest. Thus it is entirely appropriate that Laura Gibson a former Decemberist with one of the loveliest voices this side of that other great Portlander Laura Viers should commence 2012 with a feast of occasionally left field low key roots folk music which is guaranteed to captivate listeners. "La Grande" is actually a small town in Eastern Oregon a name given to it by early French settlers. It is a place where Gibson informs us that "people usually pass through on their way to somewhere else, but which contains a certain gravity, a curious energy.". It is this rustic tradition which she seeks to evoke on the albums cover as she stands snuggly wrapped in an old Indian blanket in a woodland settling with a blazing fire throwing shapes into the night. The albums title track is full of old western imagery and layered with pounding tribal drums, whispered ghostly voices and Link Wray style guitars giving it a spookiness which makes it a great start. In a slightly weird way you sense that the song "Lion/Lamb" could also have figured on a a South Pacific out-takes album with its slightly Polynesian feel but its a sparkling little song, although it is the more straightforward acoustic beauty of "Milk-Heavy. Pollen-Eyed" where Gibson's honey vocal is heartbreaking in its plaintive quality, weaving in and out of what is a sumptuous tune. More North West coast melancholy is contained in "Skin warming skin" which builds to a hypnotic choral chorus which this reviewer would have been perfectly content for Ms Gibson to extend by a least a couple of minutes.

The rustling of tambourines kicks off the bluesy "The Fire" another of "La Grande's" highlights which skips along at a lively pace and which by the end of its brief three and half minutes will have you tapping your foot and largely feeling that things are generally ok in the world. Ultimately however it is the last two songs on the album which really puts that icing on the cake. The penultimate song "Time is not" has a dark edge and builds into a haunting construct which will richly reward repeated listens. Finally the concluding song "Feather lungs" starts a slow hymnal and grows in a fragile piano lullaby with Gibson pitching her vocal so perfectly she should be given an award. The introduction of rich instrumentation adds to the wonder and throughout the album Gibson draws on a gaggle of heavyweight musicians to support her efforts the likes of Calexico's Joey Burns, The Dodos' Meric Long and Logan Kroeber and The Decemberists' Nate Query and Jenny Conlee.

"La Grande" is a very elegant album which you will grow intensely fond of. It is draws upon the traditions of American folk but can also feel quite strange in parts, a quality which adds to its otherworldly atmospherics. It is a gentle ethereal album yet infused with enough distinctive gothic character to set it apart from mere whimsy. Laura Gibson produces music which is not intended to sell by the truckload or make her safe into retirement, for which we should extend our deepest thanks. If you want to listen before you buy to "La Grande" go over to the NPR website where it is streaming for your listening pleasure. What have you got to lose? Happy New Year.

So nice to see an artist grow over the years. This latest album from Laura Gibson is, for me, a near perfect offering. Each song is strong and well crafted. On first listening the standout songs are La Grande, Milk-heavy, Pollen-eyed, Skin, warming skin and Time is not. Laura has a certain style of phrasing that may, for some, take a little getting used to but oh so worth your perseverance.

Thank you for the quick dispatch of the CD, it arrived as your email advised. The Cd is brilliant and Laura sounds even better with every new track on the CD.