Annie Keating makes a welcome recording return to UK audiences
with a brand new self-released album hitting these shores in the opening weeks
of January. MAKE BELIEVING is a sweet eclectic mix of rural idealism and
suburban endeavours confirming Annie’s status as a leading light on the North
Eastern US indie-folk-Americana scene. As we have come to expect from her
previous five albums, there are traces of experimentalism all underpinned by a
thread of root connecting sounds.
This brief overview of MAKE BELIEVING can be further illustrated
by the opening three tracks which encompass the theories behind this album
analysis. A record hitting its heights in the first song can be a double edged sword
but in this case there is no evidence of the album tailing off. The track in
question, ‘Coney Island’ retains an
element of nostalgic charm wrapped in an appealing package and can be applied
to any faded fondness of the mind’s recollections. This dose of suburban
reflection is followed by a memorable defection from the land of concrete and
steel with a fiddle led country waltz- like beat accompanying the delectable ‘Sunny Dirt Road’. Never afraid of
filtering in tints of urban influence, ‘I
Want to Believe’ possesses such vibes which blend in well with perpetual harmonica
refusing to relinquish a roots hold.
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Image by Marc McAndrews |
Despite having its sound defined in the initial ten minutes,
the remaining half an hour ebbs and flows through a further eight tracks awash
with Annie’s glowing vocals and continually reminding the listener as to why
she is regularly compared to America’s eminent female singer-songwriters. A
further highlight worth singling out is ‘
Know
Hard To Fall’ with its catchy chorus once again supplemented by the ubiquitous
harmonica. Scanning down the list of players reveals an unsurprising source for
much of the roots sound (banjo, fiddle, mandolin et al) in the name of Canadian
acclaimed bluegrass band The Abram Brothers, or in the case of the credits -
John and James. A natural beauty exists within Annie’s vocals which rise
sufficiently enough above the instruments to make a significant effect without
any need for overpowered brashness.
‘Lost
Girls’ further exemplifies this and is a steadying anchor track in the
album’s final quarter.
Annie is often a fleeting visitor to the UK and if funds
allowed for a more extensive stay, then the record would be given a greater
impetus over here. However its strong qualities will find sufficient love in the
extensive dedicated online avenues, many on self-anointed missions to keep the
art of mixing fine songs with the sounds of the land alive and flourishing. MAKE
BELIEVING is an inventive and veritable album rejoicing in the triumph of the independent spirit nurturing
one’s own soul and desire to make music. Luxuriating yourself in this release
as well as delving further into the world of Annie Keating is an advisable leisure
pursuit and one that will transport a talented artist into your listening
sphere.
www.anniekeating.com