Samantha
Crain – Under Branch & Thorn & Tree (Full Time Hobby)
LP
/ CD / DL
17
July 2015
7.5
/ 10
Americana folk-rock singer songwriter releases her new
album.
For
someone still in their 20s, Samantha Crain writes mature songs. Both lyrically and musically she belies her
age and writes cute, warming Country-esque tracks sometimes with hints of Mary
Chapin Carpenter and at others like a Martha Wainwright understudy.
Originally
from Oklahoma and of Choctaw Native American heritage, she started writing
songs after teaching herself how to play guitar at High School. She was touring by the age of 19. The album, recorded and mixed by John
Vanderslice in just ten days is a consummate affair of everyday life and
protest songs.
Album
forerunner, Outside The Pale is quite an accomplished thing. Semi-rock guitars with strings accompanying a
sombre chorus, it is without doubt the albums finest track but also one which
isn’t really repeated. It also appears
too far into the album, perhaps better placed as the album opener where Killer
stands instead.
Killer
is a decent enough track but lacks the appeal and force of an album
opener. Kathleen and Elk City lack
punch too before Outside The Pale makes an appearance. There’s no doubt that Crain is a talented
lyricist and also a skilful musician but sadly the two sometimes seem forced
together and as a result the album is left wanting on more than one occasion.
Another
of the albums highlights, Big Rock is a speedy number which takes us to Country
Rock and is a pleasing toe-tapper. The
rhyming couplets and stop/start interludes work well and the song soon passes
in its enjoyable allotment.
Album
closer Moving Day is poignant, but as with the opening tracks, a slower number
which doesn’t necessarily sit well. Talented
as Crain is, Under Branch & Thorn & Tree is an album that oozes promise
but doesn’t always deliver. A little
more pep and pizazz wouldn’t hurt, but then again maybe this is exactly what
her audience expects and demands.
Samantha will be
touring the UK in August at the following venues:
2/8
Glasgow, LKS Broadcast
3/8
Leeds, WYK Brudenell Social Club
4/8
Manchester, GTM Gullivers
5/8
Bristol, BST The
Louisiana
6/8
London, LND Sebright Arms
7/8
Brighton, ESX The Latest Music Bar
Links
Full Time Hobby Records
Samantha Crain website
Samantha Crain on Twitter
Samantha Crain on Facebook
Published on Louder Than War 12/07/15 - here
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