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EDIT INFOBeth Orton - Comfort of Strangers
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Album Details
- Artist: Beth Orton
- Album: Comfort of Strangers
- Label: Astralwerks
- Year of Release: 2006
- ME Rating:
- Reviewed by: dscanland on 2006-02-15
RecommendOh Beth, the prospect of you working with Jim O'Rourke had the potential for so much but I think I might have been expecting a little too much. This album is sooooo much better than her previous album, Daybreaker, an album that failed miserably after multiple listens. I might be hard on Beth on this album but I think after some time is spent with it that I will really become a fan of it. Tracks such as "Safe In Your Arms" get better with each listen. Some of the tracks sound utterly magical like the soulful "Absinthe". But when you get to "Heart of Soul" you can't help but imagine a stronger voice singing this Joplin like track. The song is very well written but Orton's frail voice can't quite handle it. "Pieces of Sky" is as good a way to leave us as any. It is a very mellow heartbreaker that features portions with just Beth's voice and a piano. This part is beautiful. I'm thinking that Comfort of Strangers could have used a little more editing and it would have been an even better album. It's a fairly quiet album that Jim tries to bring out the best of Beth and while I'm still a little unsure, I think Comfort of Strangers will end up being one of my favorite Beth albums. "Conceived" is the first single and one of the happiest tracks she's ever recorded.
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on 2009-08-21 ToddLevinsonFrank Said:
British singer/songwriter Beth Orton is already 10 years removed from her acclaimed debut Trailer Park, a record that somehow successfully blended folk with shades of electronica. Her CD Comfort of Strangers might not be as raw or experimental as that debut, but it is strong evidence that shes hitting her stride as a songwriter and recording artist.
And then theres that voice. She doesnt have knock-your-socks-off power like Janis Joplin or Joss Stone, but shes got a great and distinctive voice. Its smooth yet smokey, and seems capable of sounding both warm and cool, not unlike a thermos.
The album kicks off with Worms, a sort of Tori Amos-meets-Fiona Apple vibe, as she admits And now Im your apple-eating heathen, any old rib-stealing Eve. From there, the album flows effortlessly as Ortons quality songwriting meshes with expert production from Jim ORourke, best known for his work with Sonic Youth, Wilco, and Stereolab.
While Rectify bounces along like a classic Paul Simon tune, Heartland Truckstop opens with an intro riff reminiscent of Moondance-era Van Morrison. The song ends with the line Confidentially speaking all is as it seems. Her phrasing, and her choice to repeat that final line, is reminiscent of Dylan. Feral Children finds her singing Theres no words for the infinity of ghosts. Like many of Dylans finest moments, I have no idea what it means, but it sounds like a great line.
Comfort of Strangers is a somewhat mellow affair at times, but its far from boring or sleepy. It has plenty of catchy, upbeat songs and Orton and ORourke arent afraid to add crashing drum beats to liven up her tunes, as evidenced by Shopping Trolley.
On Shadow of a Doubt she sings Its true that I have got a head full of voices saying the first thing thats in their heart. Luckily for us, most of it was caught on tape.
Rating: 7/10
