Amelia Curran
Album: They Promised You Mercy
Label: Blue Rose
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.ameliacurran.com

Award winning Canadian singer songwriter Amelia Curran releases new album They Promised You Mercy.

As a Canadian singer-songwriter Curran is a worthy successor to the legacy of such folk giants as Kate McGarrigle and Buffy St Marie. She has displayed great lyricism whilst approaching difficult subjects on previous albums and once again her lyrical abilities stand out on this her forth album for 6-Shooter Records.

The lush production produces a much fuller sound than on her live performances (visit http://music.cbc.ca/#!/blogs/2014/10/First-Play-Live-Amelia-Curran-They-Promised-You-Mercy to check her out her performing tracks from the album live). This transition moves her from her folk roots through country towards a wider audience. Never mind that the influences may be old and the approach new, the sound is fresh.

Through her eleven self-penned numbers Curran successfully delivers an album that should expand her fan-base without alienating her more traditional audience. Somebody Somewhere is a particularly appealing song owing part of its catchiness to a chorus in which Curran forsakes her usual delicately crafted lyrics for some scat 'na, na, na'.

Song on the Radio strays towards country with Amelia's guitar prominently supported by some good old banjo picking. A contemporary folk feel is demonstrated on The Reverie. With its simple instrumentation and poignant vocals it will appeal to those who like Laura Marling.

Other songs, such as The Matador and I am the Night, benefit from a greater depth of instrumentation. More than once during my listening I was reminded of Donovan's Lalena, a song on which he too allowed his folk roots to benefit from instrumental augmentation.

This is an album that rewards with repeat playing. Its diversity will never bore whilst each new listening reveals newly discovered lyrics and phrases. This is an album you will want to share!

Leah Parker-Turnock