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Album Details
- Artist: Lisa Hannigan
- Album: Sea Sew
- Label: ATO
- Year of Release: 2009
- ME Rating:
- Reviewed by: tosnob on 2009-02-18
RecommendSea Sew is the new album from Irish singer/songwriter Lisa Hannigan. The album is a collection of ten songs constructed around Hannigan's pretty voice and her simple, inviting lyrical style.
It would be easy to classify Hannigan's vocals as another in a long line of female singers who convey innocence and introspection with their sound. Yes, those elements are present with Hannigan as well. However, she also possesses a strength and confidence that give the listener a very subtle "don't mess with me" sense.
Hannigan waits until the second last track, "Teeth", to really let loose. It's a shame she doesn't do it more often, because it may be even prettier than her hushed deliveries.
The band assembled to support her, complete with violin, cello, glockenspiel, upright bass, trumpet and more, are quite strong. They shift effortlessly from Harvest Moon waltz ("Ocean and a Rock") to Feist-like bopper ("I Don't Know") and everything in between. All this is done with a very faint Celtic traditional tinge.
Hannigan's dark side comes forth with great aplomb on "Keep It All". The track is made even eerier with Shane Fitzsimons' upright bass, plunking a line that sounds like it's straight out of "Bela Lugosi's Dead".
Listener's can probably do without the Bjorkian weirdness on "Splishy Splashy", but that is easily overlooked on the basis of the rest of the album.
In the end it's Hannigan's voice that is the star of the show and it is her voice that seems destined to charm you.
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on 2009-03-26 dadair Said:
To get the preliminaries out of the way early, yeah the voice that cushioned Damien Rices supple, hearty and feeling felt material whilst he climbed the ladder to International recognition was that of the Irish tenderiser, Lisa Hannigan. Naturally, although a little later than many expected, Hannigan steps out on her own, seeking to build on this experience and use the knowledge and skills gained with Rice to entertain, sooth and ignite a fire of reflection in the minds of discerning listeners.
This debut album is yearning, reflective and contemplative, so yeah comparisons with her former collaborator will flow like bad blood between Fergie and Benitez. Venn Diagram, sums up all Hannigans weaving subtlety as well parading her paradoxical, haunting yet soothing touch, something that seeps through this stirring ten track stroll. It contains slightly animated interludes, as the feeling builds up and the leading ladies heart opens out.
The journeying nature of the material reaches a nadir in Sea Song, when a wispy tail drags onto the vocal coating, adding a weary and life lagging vibe. This is quite potent for the fact that it does not comes across as forced or strained. It is when this sincere songstress slows down to a vocal dawdle in, Splishy Splashy that her comforting and reassuring manner is in full glory. Gently cushioned by a deft xylophone and supple drum beat accompaniment that showers around the low-key, yet calming touch of Hannigan. Rhythm and energy picks up for the mildly throbbing Keep It All, aiding the blues push and Amy Studt veined vibe.
An independent, unassuming, but quite masterful Imogen Heap flavour spices up a good share of the album, giving full flavour to Pistachio. Maturity, heart and a reassuring nature slides down from a composed structure for Teeth. Setting up a glossy finish, especially in the way the supple, key led accompaniment slowly hugs the slow climbing vocal performance. It is both warming and commanding, tackling the topic of escapism with authority and a poetic slant. Sometimes lost, other times she confidently leads the way. This enchanting debut album captures both ends of the spectrum of Lisa Hannigan.
Rating: 8/10
