Carrie Newcomer
Album: A Permeable Life
Label: Available Light
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.carrienewcomer.com

Carrie's mellifluous, earthy and full-toned singing voice is exploited to great effect on this latest collection of self-penned songs, her twelfth studio album. Typically reflective subject matter, concerning and expressing Carrie's proven life-philosophy of being aware of the beauty in quite ordinary experiences, living more fully in and savouring the moment.

Carrie's voice and expression on several tracks here recalls the warm, involving honesty of our own Kath Reade - which both artists should take as a compliment, for there's an evident kinship here between the two of them, in that an easy, almost conversational rapport is struck up with the listener. It makes for a persuasive manifesto and an album whose dozen songs together truly complement each other and individually satisfy. The comparably warm and sweet-toned musical backdrops involve Jim Brock, Heidi Gluck, Shannon Hayden, Matt Toby, Gary Walters, Chris Wagoner and producer Paul Mahern, and engage ideally with Carrie's own voice.

Tender, delicate percussion supporting soft guitars, cello, piano, violin - nothing at all challenging, but none the worse for that. Altogether, A Permeable Life is a comforting listen; yes, a little low-key perhaps (and for the most part in a similar, relaxed mid-tempo, until the final, rollicking swinger, that is), but if you're in the right mood it will prove both gently stimulating and somewhat reassuring.

David Kidman