
Kirsten Adamson
Landing Place
Self-released
Down to Earth Wisdom, Set Alongside Tightly Crafted Melody and Lyrics
My first encounter with Kirsten was when I caught her in a duo with ahab’s (no capital or it’s a different band!) Dave Burn – The Marriage – in the Den at Cambridge Folk Festival 2019.
On that occasion, the duo remarked that they were probably rusty as they coming back into performance after a timeout (they weren’t) , so I was looking forward to hearing new material – but then we all know what happened over the next couple of years and I didn’t catch up with the duo until The Marriage played at the Ramblin’ Roots Revue in High Wycombe in 2022.
Kirsten clearly had been musically busy in the meantime – as well as new material from the duo, she’s also brought this solo album forth – and most enjoyable it is too.
The opening two tracks cover both sides of the parental spectrum – opener “No other Mother”
“you’re a fighter/you’ve been through it”
speaks of respect for her matriarchal role model
“You’re like no other mother – and you’re mine”.
Kirsten’s voice has an ineffable but recognisable Scottish quality and this is equally reflected in Dean Owens’ melody in the wonderful “My Father’s Songs”, a coming to terms with a father lost and found, given great poignancy for anyone knowing of Kirsten’s late father Stuart.
It’s a proud, celebratory and emotionally conciliatory anthem.
“Stars on the South Coast” is a tale of a relationship as a road trip, both literal and metaphorical- and name checks singing harmony to a “Courtney” (Marie Andrews?) song; which may be a first. Again, Gaelic tinged melody and narrative combine to create a fine mix.
“Coals and Ashes” is set in a minor key which reflects its more emotionally pragmatic, yet determined lyricism “These coals won’t turn to ashes”…
Mid-album “I Will Sign” thumps along on the toms as our heroine ledges to “sign away my secrets” – and more.
It’s a tale of commitment and uncertainty.
This duality is also reflected in “Up and Down” –
“sometimes the saddest songs don’t always hit the spot” –
it’s a rumination of the effect of music on our mood – it’s a more sophisticated second cousin twice removed of The Smiths “Rubber Ring” in terms of its subject matter, the common link being the redemptive power of music.
“Time With You” is gentler in musical tone, with pads and drones underscoring picked guitar and the simple acceptance that “All I want is time with you”, a plea for more connection in a frantic world.
“They Deserve Better” chugs gently along with a staccato acoustic guitar under a missive of finding – and creating the right kinds of role models amongst a neo-liberal, materialistic world.
“Useless at Being Alone” moves from the universal to the more personal in musically militaristic waltz time.
Steinbeck would approve, in that he said similar things about the need for companionship and fellow humanity.
This personal vein is mined further on “What Happens When You Don’t Follow Your Heart” – its musical tone, tremulous vocal and lyri cs both imply a melancholy outcome
“I’m OK, but feelings don’t lie”…
The final track “Without Warning” ups the tempo to take things out about the volatility of life -both good and bad.
It’s a fitting ending to an album where there is thread throughout about wrestling with life’s extremes and having the strength to accept and deal with whatever comes your way – the confidence and down to earth wisdom, set amongst songs where there’s a tightness about the crafting of melody and lyrics – make this into a strong and thematically homogenous second release.
Review by Nick Barber
Released February 3rd 2023
https://www.kirstenadamson.com/
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