Album Release: ‘NEW BOOTS’ (Rubyworks)
Released: 7 September, 2009

The songs on ‘New Boots’ emerged partly from the most euphoric moments of Bird’s life - epiphanies and personal triumphs - and partly from the shadow of splits - with her label, with her partner - experiences that, she says, nearly broke her in half.

Recorded in varying locations - a rural Germany studio close to where she lived for 18 months; her home in London; her parents’ house back in Ireland - Wallis even utilised her family as backing vocalists on some of the songs. “Having family and friends take part makes it more personal, both for me and for the listener,” she says. “I feel that music can die if we don’t keep it intimate.”

Together with her band, Wallis has dug deep, fought hard and alchemised pop gold, creating an honest, bold and predictably unpredictable album. None more so than on the stadium-sized acoustica of ‘To My Bones’, a song that has already pricked up the tuned-in ears of our mainstream radio airwaves.

An impassioned performer often likened to Janis Joplin and Ani DiFranco, much of the live energy of Wallis’ shows is captured on ‘NEW BOOTS.’ Listeners might be surprised by the 5ft 2in bundle of white heat who throws herself around the stage with wilful abandon, breaking strings and shredding her fingers from the sheer force of her playing, urging the crowd into a collective sing-a-long, and throwing her entire soul into each performance.

The album opens, somewhat appropriately, with ‘Can Opener’ (with worms the size of pythons) and if one had any doubts about the voracity of her PR blurb, this song will dispel them in a single swipe. It’s hugely rhythmic; a bold musical statement; with a vocal performance that belies this lady’s tender age. It’s a bluesy, soul, rocking bone shaker and the lady gives it some welly. Marvellous opener.  ’Travelling Bird’ is an altogether more complex song with a distinctly jazzy vibe, rampant pace and a vocal that sounds like she’s dancing around away from the mic as she records - already I’m wanting to see this firecracker perform live. I’m struck by the way that Bird usesd any musical device to make her point - there’s adventure in these grooves. ‘To My Bones’ is, rightly, the first single off the album due for release on the 30th August. It’s got melody to burn and pop sensibility by the truckload. But it’s an intelligent love song with some very original touches including a winding guitar passage that leads to the song to a crashing final crescendo, complete with rebel yells.

‘Meal Of Convenience’ changes tack by adopting a rocky folk vibe complete with beautifully judged banjo and hand claps. Bird’s vocal is up to the task as she adapts it to communicate the message. Superb. ‘Made Of Sugar’ offers another slant as she whispers the excellent lyrics, over a jazzy guitar backdrop, with great expression. The song travels slowly and is one beautiful, moving ballad. ‘An Idea About Mary’ offers yet another musical recipe and in so doing reminds of that great singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco. Already the diversity of music here is mind-blowing, the performances some of the best I’ve heard from a female singer/songwriter in 2009 - a brilliant album release year so far. Melody drives this song along like a freight train - fabulous!

‘When We Kissed, The World Fell In Love’ has a jagged vibe as she sings about a bittersweet love affair. Once again the sound is different; more radio-friendly but adventurous with it. The vocal is wondrously expressive as she travels the musical scale. But the lady can have fun too - check out ‘LaLaLand’ with its brass intro, catchy choruses and dance vibe. This has to be the next single given a bit more bass oomph. It’s irreverant, funny and wholly compelling. ‘Berlin’ another more complex beauty with wandering piano notes and amusing backing vocals that vary from ‘bum, bum bum, bum’ to ‘toot, toot, toot.’ Wonderful.

‘Measuring Cities’ opens with a charming acoustic guitar passage before a sensual close-mic vocal enters followed by some lovely string orchestration. It’s a medium-paced, contemplative song where Bird seems to be having a conversation with an ex-lover. It’s utterly compelling, with an outro of vocal harmonies and plucked guitar that is quite beautiful. ‘Your Morning Dream’ is back down Ani DiFranco ally and is again sung in thoughtful style. But then it builds to the most enormous crescendo with a pleading vocal before that solo guitar makes its return and the vocal slows to a seductive crawl, before that fabulous, passionate crescendo returns. There are many highlights here but this one is my favourite.

‘Yer Daddy’ is a live and exhuberant affair that closes one superb album - check out the male hip-hop passage. Wallis Bird has achieved something quite incerdible with this second album, and the major label that deserted her will be (or should be) grinding its teeth. The diversity of sound is mind-boggling, the performances are stunning (from both Bird and her band) and put just about every other UK female singer/songwriter in the dark shade. A good album? No not at all. It’s friggin’ brilliant and a new star has been born.

5/5 

Wallis Bird Live:

August 30 Solfest, West Cumbria
September 2 Koko, London (supporting Rodrigo y Gabriela)
September 12 Jimmy’s Farm Festival, Ipswich

www.myspace.com/wallisbird

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