Greater
minds than the average Joe have lauded the guitar playing skills of Katie
Spencer, but you do not need to ascend to aficionado status to know that you
are listening to something special. This applies to seeing her play live on an increasing
number of dates that are beginning to grow as her star shines brighter on the
folk and acoustic network, or at least listening on record. The latter is set
to take off in new directions with the release of a debut full-Length album.
WEATHER BEATEN is just the fillip Katie Spencer needs to broaden a horizon that
is starting to branch out more from her Humberside base.
Previously,
there was the GOOD MORNING SKY EP which started to open doors for Katie with its
five tracks leaving the desired effect of the listener wanting more. Now the
output has doubled, the promise moves a lot further down the road to
fulfillment. From start to finish, the 38-minute playing time takes the
listener on a mesmerising
journey, while encapsulating them in a chilled out evocative zone. Choose the
listening mode at your leisure, as this album gains traction whether you are on
your daily commute or find a relaxing few moments when the rest of life can park
up.
Katie
Spencer largely comes across as a lone operator as this spills out from the ten
tracks. Nine have their writing and arrangement credited to Katie on her own,
with the tenth a solely arranged traditional song. The latter appears to be a
local tale titled ‘Spencer the Rover’,
mainly deduced from Yorkshire references in the words and not any family
connection. There are three other musicians credited with working on the album,
with the most prominent of these being occasional flute and clarinet interludes
to break up the incessant, yet compulsive guitar input.
For those
who like to absorb their minds in song lyrics, the musings of Katie will prompt
many strands of head scratching thought. Extremely metaphorical and frequently
pure poetry, interpretations to the listener can be quite abstract, but without
doubt, inspirations and meaning will likely surface in the live setting. Some
tracks are quite minimalist in their whole presentation such as opening number
‘Incense Skin’, while the most
profound message found in her writing exists in ‘You Came Like a Hurricane’. This song has featured in her sets for
a while and probably ranks alongside ‘Hello
Sun’ as the two songs to spearhead the album, although this record is not
necessarily a contest to pitch tracks ahead of one another. Either way,
analysis of light and dark in the latter makes this personifying tilt an
intriguing listen.
After many
plays a light bulb moment occurred during album closer ‘The Hunter’, with serious thoughts turning to how much of this
record sounds like Laura Marling at her transfixing best. Moody vocals blending
with deft guitar playing resulting in a haunting mellowed haze easing from art
creator to art receiver with very little in between. The baton of Katie Spencer’s WEATHER BEATEN now
passes to you.
www.katiespencer.net
