Six Shooter (label)
26 January 2015 (released)
02 January 2015
I have been a fan of Amelia Curran for some years but this is definitely her strongest album yet.
She hails from Halifax Nova Scotia and in common with many of the Canadian musicians her songs are very personal and describe feelings and emotions, drawing you close to her and affecting the listener’s emotions as well.
She has a fine set of supporting musicians behind her on this release but the album is all about her songs and her smoky and husky delivery that emphasises her words.
Her lyrical qualities were clear on the previous ‘Hunter Hunter’ album but here she has gone a step further and from the outset with ‘Somebody Somewhere’ she is playing games with the listener – the song has echoes of Paul Simon but her vocals are much stronger and more assertive.
‘I Am The Night’ is dark and edgy but ‘Never Say Goodbye’ adds power and a little bombast – this is a lady who is standing up to the slings and arrows, not backing down and confident in her stance.
‘Time, Time’ is a lovely little piece, just her voice and simply picked guitar looking back at promises made and relationships unfulfilled.
Everything about this album works in its own right but across the piece you get the feeling of a songwriter on the edge of great change – looking back and using what she sees to help move on. No recriminations or blame, just accept, learn and move on.
The production, from Michael Phillip Wojewoda, is rich and gives the songs a great depth and character but he never obfuscates her vocals and the singer and the songs ring clear.
A brilliant way to start the new year and an album I feel I’ll be returning to time and again in 2015
