americana uk

ALBUM REVIEW - 'ALL THINGS REAL' BY JENNY ALDER
FROM AMERICANA UK APRIL 13 '06

An astonishing debut from this Edinburgh based singer songwriter, All Things Real throws down the gauntlet with its opening song, a cover
of “I See A Darkness”. Although it doesn’t manage to surpass the original, nor indeed Johnny Cash’s magisterial rendering, Adey does manages to do the song justice, clearing this self-imposed hurdle
with space to spare, and creating a sense of anticipation for what is to follow.

The influence of Will Oldham does loom large here generally, with Adey’s songs occupying a mournful, emotional and intimate soundscape. Song’s such as “The Lost Boat Song” recall Smog, and
the ghost of Jeff Buckley can also be divined. Generally speaking, Adey falls somewhere between sombre alt-country and the structured atmospherics of Talk Talk.

The real highlight however is another seemingly crazy choice of cover, “Shelter From the Storm”. It is almost unrecognisable, a slow building piano and vocal led version which actually adds something to the song, imbuing it with a sense of gravity and longing which Dylan doesn’t quite allow it on Blood On The Tracks. With his choice of covers, Adey can’t lack ambition and self belief, and the promising nature of the original material can only raise expectations for what may be to follow.
(8/10)

back