Over her past few releases Clare Burson has shown herself to be a genuine talent, and an artist in the real sense of the word, willing to take on a range of different approaches and styles; from the more traditional, straight singer/songwriter of ‘The In-between’ through to the more progressive and individual approach on this excellent album.
She’s a strikingly expressive singer, and on ‘Thieves’ it’s the focus of the disc, the accompaniment is varied with a range of instrumentation, but it’s put together in a subtle and low-key way where guitars, vocals, percussion, piano and pedal steel come together to create an intense, organic sound – it’s unusual and utterly engaging.
Her beautiful vocals take centre stage, part world-weary and part other-worldly, it’s a mysterious combination, but combined with the ambient atmosphere of the backing it’s a compelling combination.
She covers the whole emotional range in her songwriting, and it’s an album full of twists and turns from the liberating opener ‘Boat of Leaves’ through to a surprising reworking of ‘These Boots are Made for Walking’ as a traditional, stripped down, banjo accompanied murder ballad.
‘Thieves’ is a beautiful, mysterious and captivating album that stands out as distinct and individual from almost anything else out there, those looking for something different will find much to love here. Very highly recommended.
Track listing
1 Boat of Leaves
2 Thieves
3 Always Be
4 Love is Snow
5 Angels
6 Let Me Lose Me
7 These Boots are Made for Walking
8 1000 Miles
9 Edge of Town
