16/12/2010

Jars of Clay

Anthea Neads

This debut album from Anthea Neads manages to sidestep the pitfall that strikes many singer/songwriters down; the outpouring of a lifetimes worth of angst and misery. Instead she has a set of songs that are autobiographical yet still accessible to the listener. Neads has also created some solid arrangements that make use of her multi-instrumental skills, with guitar, piano and violin used to good effect.

Jars of Clay is crammed with inventive sounds and stylings, Neads keyboards are wonderful on Simple Pleasures, her vocals having a smoky sensual quality that is particularly appealing on that song.

Castle Town also stands out with her playing a low G whistle through it, laid over a slowly plucked guitar and her multi tracked vocal it conjures up an ethereal feeling that is quite special.

Jars of Clay is a solid debut, full of sparkling moments that achieve that rare feat of transporting the listener somewhere else, Neads is a talent to watch...

www.antheaneads.com

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