Snob's Music: Laura Veirs: "July Flame" (album review)

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Laura Veirs: "July Flame" (album review)

To say that July Flame, the forthcoming album (out January 12th) from singer/songwriter Laura Veirs, is moody would be an understatement. The album, Veirs seventh, was recorded mainly in her Oregon barn, and it carries the sound and feeling of just that.

The images evoked by July Flame may not be the same for every listener, but they are no less vivid. As I delved deeper and deeper into the album I couldn't help but get the sense of an all too cool prairie twilight (complete with crickets).

Whether it's elegant string arrangements on songs like "Sleeper In the Valley" or a gently weeping country guitar on "Sun Is King", Veirs encompasses you in a lovely protective cocoon. Throughout the album one can easily hear her fingers as the move across her guitar strings.

Despite the beauty of these songs, Veirs refuses to be complacent. Piano and horns are brought onto "Summer Is the Champion" to create an upbeat jam. "Wide-Eyed, Legless" features a controlled whirlwind of backing strings and guitar.

From a vocal perspective Veirs is brilliant. Her voice is intimate, almost timid on many of the songs, drawing the listener into a comfortable place. However, that makes it all the more startling when she firmly takes control of your musical ride. The title track, for example, features a commanding vocal performance yet one that never becomes overbearing.

Harmonies are also important to Veirs. Songs like "I Can See Your Tracks" boast lovely harmonies, often backed up ably by My Morning Jacket's Jim James.

All of these elements click more often than not. The resulting music may not bring to mind images of the Oregon barn in which they were recorded, one can't help but feel some convergence between the natural and spiritual worlds when absorbing July Flame.

Best tracks: "Summer Is Champion", "Sun Is King"

Track listing for July Flame: