Anna Calvi - Anna Calvi
by Tara McEvoy
published: 2 / 3 / 2011
Label:
Domino Records
Format: CD
intro
Captivating and distinctive eponymous debut album from timeless-sounding London-based singer-songwriter, Anna Calvi
Occasionally, you’ll stumble across someone who insists "music these days just isn’t what it used to be." The advice I’d give to that person? Listen to Anna Calvi’s eponymous debut album. Words like ‘magnificent’ and ‘genius’ are bandied about all too often these days, but in this case, their use would be entirely justified– Calvi’s sound is distinctive, captivating – in short, it’s almost certainly a cut above any album that’s been churned out so far this year. The record is unashamedly imbued with a tinge of melodrama, as evidenced on opener ‘Rider to theSea’, yet Calvi none the less brings a touch of class, even a dark humour, to proceedings. From the get go, the record doesn’t simply feel like an album, it feels like an event. As with all great records, influences are hard to decipher - while songs such as ‘No More Words’ possess a timeless wistfulness, reminiscent of Billie Holiday, ‘Desire’ could easily be mistaken for a track by Natasha Khan. Undeniably, there are parallels to be drawn with the work of PJ Harvey and Siouxsie Sioux, yet dig a little deeper and Calvi’s sultry, sensual vocals may even recall Shirley Bassey – ‘Suzanne and I’ sounds like a shoe-in for the next Bond theme. ‘Blackout’ marks Calvi trying her hand at bubblegum pop, soaring, lilting choruses and an uplifting drum tattoo forming the perfect antithesis to the bluesy stylings of ‘I’ll Be Your Man’. Perhaps the highlight, though, is ‘The Devil’. With its elegantly intricate guitar and breathy vocals, it is a lesson in how understated should be done - sometimes the whispered words are the ones that strike the biggest chord. Striding into the limelight with a remarkably assured debut, Calvi has pinched Janelle Monae’s crown as the eclectic queen of cool – good luck to anyone who tries to steal her throne.
Track Listing:-
1 Rider To The Sea2 No More Words
3 Desire
4 Suzanne & I
5 First We Kiss
6 The Devil
7 Blackout
8 I'll Be Your Man
9 Morning Light
10 Love Won't Be Leaving
Band Links:-
http://annacalvi.com/https://www.facebook.com/annacalvi
https://twitter.com/annacalvi
Label Links:-
http://www.dominorecordco.com/https://www.facebook.com/DominoRecordCo
https://twitter.com/DominoRecordCo
https://www.youtube.com/user/DominoRecords
https://plus.google.com/+DominoRecords
live reviews |
Albert Hall, Manchester, 6/2/2014 |
Mary O'Meara watches Anna Calvi play an intense but enthralling set in a hypnotic show at the Albert Hall in Manchester |
photography |
Photoscapes (2019) |
Andrew Twambley photographs singer-songwriter and guitarist Anma Calvi in a headline show at a new two-day Wirral-based festival Future Yard. |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.Dennis Tufano - Copernicus Center, Chicago, 19/7/2024
Elliott Murphy - Interview
Wreckless Eric - Interview
Adrian Gurvitz - Interview
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #16: Living in the Minds of Strangers
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #17: Tom Robinson
Norman Rodger - Interview
Chris Spedding - Interview
Penumbra - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Groovy Uncle - Making ExcusesBill Wyman - Drive My Car
Hawkestrel - Chaos Rocks
Philip Parfitt - The Dark Light
Ross Couper Band - The Homeroad
Deep Purple - =1
Jules Winchester - The Journey
Popstar - Obscene
Splashgirl and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe - More Human
John Murry and Michael Timmins - A Little Bit of Grace and Decay
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart