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Review: Jack Foley
IT'S been three years since Gemma Hayes released her Mercury-nominated
debut album, Night On My Side.
Since that time, the singer-songwriter moved to LA to recruit
a producer and musicians to record and play with.
Once there, she met renowned drummer Joey Waronker (REM, Beck,
Sir Paul McCartney and Johnny Cash) who offered his production
skills and recruited a band of musicians she had come to admire
through their individual work with PJ Harvey, Beck and Remy Zero.
The ensuing album, The Roads Don't Love You, is an extremely
accomplished effort - rich in quality and emotion and one that
provides a fitting showcase for Hayes' addictive quality as a
singer.
From album opener, Two Step, to the delicious curtain-closer,
Tomorrow, Hayes enchants the listener with her easy melodies
and breezy style - knowing just when to drop in a ballad or liven
things up.
The result is an album that hints at the country-folk style of
Sheryl Crow at times, but which is equally adept at delivering
catchy pop records in the style of Beth Orton or Joni Mitchell.
Two Step is an excellent introduction, riding high on
some nice guitar riffs and an appealing chorus, while forthcoming
single, Happy Sad contains some killer hooks and a dreamy
chorus that wraps you up in the warmth of Gemma's vocal style.
Another For The Darkness is a slower, more reflective
piece that draws on her ability to come over all husky.
While there's a really relaxed vibe surrounding Undercover,
an understated effort that emerges as a real heart-warmer.
Of the ballads, Helen stands out, built around some
simple piano chords and a melancholy style that demands attention.
But fortunately Hayes seems to know when to chop and change pace,
seldom dwelling too long on a style that might prove cumbersome.
Hence, Horses is an inspiring track that's driven by
some strong guitar riffs and a slightly different vocal style,
while Tomorrow washes over you like a cool wave on a
hot day - packed with lush melodies and a genuinely feel-good
factor.
Let's hope the wait is not so long between this and the next
album.
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