Saint Low - Saint Low

  by Malcolm Carter

published: 17 / 12 / 2001

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Finding that she had a stockpile of songs she felt unsuitable for Madder Rose, songwriter and vocalist Mary Lorson decided to form Saint Low as an outlet for them. Always in the passenger seat as far as songwriting was concerned on Madder Rose albums (only one solo composition on 'Hello June Fool', their last album) now, at last, Lorson proves herself worthy of being in control behind the wheel. All the songs are written by Lorson and she has also provided an uncluttered production which brings out the beauty in her pure, haunted vocals which was always one of the major attractions of Madder Rose. Mellower than you would expect to find on a Madder Rose album, these songs need a few plays before the delicacy of the melodies shine through. Given time they are surprisingly addictive. The normal comparisions with the Cowboy Junkies and Mazzy Star still apply to some tracks but the biggest surprise is that tracks like 'On The Outside' and 'Only One' sound not unlike the latest work by the brilliant Aimee Mann. They would not seem out of place on Mann's last album. Lyrically these songs have great depth. Repeated listens reveal smart word play. The six minute 'Walk On By' opens with the lines "I don't hear a single...word of what they're saying to me", aimed at a former major label with whom Madder Rose had problems with or, as the song unfolds, is it something more personal connected with her childhood? Whatever, the song is the highlight of the album. Stay with it and you can't fail to be moved by the poignancy of it all. Skilful use of words appear once more on the opening track, 'Anywhere'. Starting with the line "Here I am and here I'll stay", the lyrics again could be directed at a former record label before they develop into a biting love song. "If everybody lies, does that become the truth?" Thoughtful lyrics like those dominate not only this song but also the whole album. Lyrically intriguing enough to hold your interest until the subtle melodies take hold , there is always something new to find with each listen. If you are looking for something new to fill those quiet, thoughtful moments late at night or early morning, you could do worse than give this a try. One to return to again and again and better than we had a right to expect from Lorson's first solo effort.

Track Listing:-

1 Anywhere
2 On the Outside
3 Johnson City
4 Crash
5 Tall Trees
6 Keep an Open Mind
7 Only One
8 A Thing or Two
9 Dreamland
10 Walk on By
11 Spanish Moss
12 After the Fall

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