Minnie Birch
Album: Floundering
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 13
Website: http://www.minniebirch.co.uk/

I first encountered Minnie Birch via Bob's Folk Show, but it wasn't long before I'd caught up with more of her music in both the live arena and via odd tracks released on a number of compilations and sneaked out through social media and You Tube etc, well all that's changed with the release of her debut album, "Floundering", a release that allows access to a concentration of her music in the same place.

If any album seems incorrectly named, it's "Floundering" as it comes across as very assured release that you wouldn't believe was a debut and in many ways shows the value of getting out and learning your craft rather than rushing into the studio because you can. Now don't get me wrong, Minnie Birch is still a young artist, but this is an album that is stronger for having that bit more time to explore the songs she's laid down. A year ago, I'd have probably described this as a good album, now I get to call it a great one.

The album is almost pure Minnie, well in terms of both the writing and performance, though there are a few friends drafted in to provide additional vocals, including Bob Meyer on "Lightning", instrumentation and production, most of which comes through the heart, spirit, voice and fingers of Ms Birch.

"Floundering" shows Minnie Birch to be quite the wordsmith, knowing not just when to sing, but when to leave phrases hanging to concentrate on the meaning, silence can say so much and Minnie knows how to use it, almost as an instrument to contrast against not only what is being sung, but what is being played.

This is a release that belies the relative youth of the performer, a phrase I seem to be using a lot recently, regardless there is no age limit on talent and in Minnie Birch it's easy to find a very talented writer, singer and performer and in "Floundering" it's easy to find an album that validates it.

Neil King