Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Track Listings
| 1. Old Soul |
| 2. Black Letter |
| 3. Dance In New York |
| 4. Rosie |
| 5. Roll On |
| 6. Icarus Wind |
| 7. The Wrong Side |
| 8. Slow Journey |
| 9. And You Shall Know No Other God But Me |
| 10. When I Get Back to Shore |
| 11. Breathe |
| 12. The Lower Road |
| 13. You Spin Me Right Round (Bonus Track) |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
Prolific British singer-songwriter Thea Gilmore returns with her eighth album in ten years, and it will come as no surprise to those that have followed her work since she was a teenager that Liejacker is as dense with natural smoky jazz mannerisms, fine folk details and stark soul-searching lyrics as anything she’s committed to record before. The humble consistency across these 12 original tracks, and one slightly obtuse but perfectly infectious country cover of Dead Or Alive’s "You Spin Me Round Like A Record", is particularly noticeable, surpassing even that of 2005’s fêted major label debut Harpo’s Ghost. This record is much softer, less glossy, and knowingly less bold--suiting her reacquaintance with an independent label. Yet it still tugs as intently at your heartstrings with the willing, deeply set melodies evident through "Old Soul", an effective, wanting duet with Dave McCabe of The Zutons, the waltzing autumnal "Dance In New York" and woozy baritone jazz of "Wrong Side". In Liejacker she has crafted a record that fairly closely peers Kathryn Williams’ stirring Brit folk, or Beth Orton with weights around her dainty ankles. But it especially thrives on an often astonishingly powerful voice, exhibiting great range and echoing established talents like Annie Lennox or Alison Moyet. Fame surely can’t evade her forever, as this once again reminds that she leaves lightweights Katie Melua and Norah Jones in the shade every time. --James Berry
Review
It is difficult to know what to make of Thea Gilmore. If you believe the music press, she is 'the best British singer-songwriter of the last ten years' and 'the best wordsmith of her generation', yet on listening to her recent musical output, neither of those slices of hyperbole stand up to scrutiny. Harpo's Ghost, her previous album, garnered critical praise across the board, something that would have made anyone listening to the distinctly average collection somewhat confused. Liejacker, it seems, will do exactly the same.
Things do start well. The album opens with a duet, a collaboration with The Zutons' Dave McCabe called Old Soul, which not only showcases Gilmore's considerable vocal talents but also reveals a hidden depth and tenderness to McCabe that he'd do well to take back to the next Zutons album.
From there though, proceedings go quickly downhill, with even the impressive list of guests being unable to stop the decline.
Virginia-born folk-rocker Erin McKeown turns up on Dance In New York, a seven-minute exercise in dreariness that could easily lose four minutes and be unharmed, while even a double whammy of folk legend Joan Baez and The Waterboys' Steve Wickham aren't enough to drag the closing The Lower Road out of the mundane mire.
Thea's problem is twofold. First, as with all her releases since her breakthrough opus, Avalanche, the songs are over-produced, giving them a shine and polish that simply doesn't fit with the emotion and tenderness she is trying to convey.
The second is that since Avalanche, her songwriting has been losing its energy and passion, as if she has a slow puncture in her soul. The result is that she'll settle for nonsense like the tedious Rosie or the frankly dismal Icarus Wind, where she was once filled with fires like Heads Will Roll or Juliet.
Taken as a collection, Liejacker sounds like a Mary Chapin Carpenter album circa 1996, which was no bad thing back then, but as a much-celebrated singer-songwriter in 2008, it's bemusingly weak to say the least. Still, that's probably not what her music press fan club will say. --Chris Long
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Helped along with a few friends including Joan Baez, Erin Mckeown and Waterboy Steve Wickham, Thea has created an album of sparse beauty. The opening track "Old Soul" gives more than a slight nod to The Waterboys "Strange Boat" and sets the mood perfectly for an album full of heartfelt songs and sheer emotion. I dare anyone to listen to "Slow Journey" and not to be moved. Two strong contenders for song of the year can be found in "When I Get Back To Shore" and "The Lower Road". Maybe the bonus track of "You Spin Me Right Round" is not everyones cup of tea but you can easily forgive her for the twelve tracks of true brilliance that go before.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Essex Gooner
Format:Audio CD
Having seen her at Norwich recently this girl is truly amazing. Liejacker should be a number 1 album, the single old soul should have charted top 10 and the track "roll on" should be her black horse & cherry tree. Such a talented singer songwriter. I can only feel sorry for those who haven't yet discovered her. If you only buy one album this year make it this one, you won't be disappointed
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Ann L
Format:Audio CD
Took a couple of listens to get into Liejacker but now I'm hooked. Is there no limit to Thea's talent?
Brilliant on CD but to see her perform live is unforgetable - she engages with the audience, she's witty, personable, rude too! - she made us laugh, then she tugged at the heart strings with her next song. One amazing lady.
Brilliant on CD but to see her perform live is unforgetable - she engages with the audience, she's witty, personable, rude too! - she made us laugh, then she tugged at the heart strings with her next song. One amazing lady.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 9 reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
More like it
Much better than 'Rules' - richer and more complex with some great tracks. All the chracteristics of a more mature artist.
Published 5 months ago by Mr M Katesmark
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thea Gilmore
Fell in love with her voice some time ago listening by chance to the radio. This is as good as the rest.
Published 6 months ago by NO!!!
5.0 out of 5 stars
wonderful singer .... wonderful album
Bought this album after hearing one of Thea's tracks on the radio - completely blown away ... absolutely fabulous! Read more
Published 18 months ago by AliB
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wish I'd found this years ago
The difficulty of reviewing this album without reaching for the book of superlatives probably lies in the fact that, personally, I don't encounter talent like this very often. Read more
Published on 30 Mar 2011 by Antony Tipping
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lifejacker
This is the first time i have been moved to write a review. Thea has a wonderfully soulfull voice,combined with great music and fine lyrics,a great combination. Read more
Published on 8 Sep 2010 by martin65
5.0 out of 5 stars
Her best work so far
I now have most, but not quite all, of Thea Gilmore's cds. This one is by far my favourite, and the one I keep playing. Read more
Published on 4 April 2010 by S. Gerhand
3.0 out of 5 stars
only so-so
Not a bad cd but track 9 is truly awful. Not as anywhere as good as Duffy or the brillant Beth Rowley
Published on 24 July 2008 by K. D. Serle
4.0 out of 5 stars
a collection of beautiful songs
Thea's new record has been preceded by some difficult times, and it has to be said this is a slower, more downbeat album than its predecessors. Read more
Published on 10 July 2008 by time I had some time alone
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gets better each time you hear it.
An absolutely fantastic album. Streets ahead of the other albums of Thea's that I've heard. She's really matured as a songwriter and her voice sounds great. Read more
Published on 7 July 2008 by Howard Change
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you buy only one Thea Gilmore album...
Each earlier album has some stand-out tracks - suggesting the possibility of a great album. And here it is!
Published on 17 Jun 2008 by D. M. Bell
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
