Sarah Harmer - Oh Little Fire

by Tony Gaughan

published: 26 / 7 / 2010

Label: Rounder Records
Format: CD

Sugar sweet and infectiously catchy country rock on fifth album from Canadian singer-songwriter, Sarah Harmer

Review

It is ten years since I have heard anything from Canadian singer-songwriter, Sarah Harmer. Her 2000 debut album, 'You Were Here', earned her a platinum disc in her native country, thanks to brilliantly crafted songs such as 'Basement Apartment' and 'Don't Get Your Back Up'. She was touted along with an endless list of female singer/songwriters like Suzanne Vega or Aimee Mann for great things,yet somehow it just never happened for her outside Canada. What now 10 years on? Is she still the same? Nope, this release, 'Oh Little Fire', is a sugar sweet collection of inoffensive country-pop tracks and from the opening number, 'The Thief', it is clear Sarah not only has a beautiful voice but can also pen a decent tune. Imagine Squeeze, Crowded House or Tom Petty's Heartbreakers fronted by a female vocalist. Most of the eleven tracks are toe tappingly good, especially 'Captive' and the infectious and possibly strongest track 'The Marble in Your Eye'. There is also a duet,'Silverado', which features Neko Case from fellow Canadian band The New Pornographers. It is exactly as I expect the new record by Scottish hopefuls Pearl and the Puppets to sound like and if it is this good when it appears it will be a sure fire winner.

Track Listing:-

1 The Thief
2 Captive
3 New Loneliness
4 One Match
5 Careless
6 Washington
7 Late Bloomer
8 The City
9 Silverado
10 The Marble In Your Eye
11 It Will Sail