Karyn Ellis 'Hearts Fall' (Mathilda’s Home Productions 2005)

Pert and amusing singer-songwriting

This album is sheer indie delight. Well within a long tradition of singer songwriters confessing personal emotional traumas onto disc, Karyn Ellis’ wit, and her promise (which she doesn’t always keep) to ‘write a happy ending’ sets her apart. From the thrown-together old time waltz opening of ‘Lost’, to the soft shoe shuffle of ‘Skippng stones’, there’s something very engaging about her sweet n sour soprano. Green chair shows a Norah Jones softness which nonetheless avoids any blandness, and there’s intelligence and poetry in the lyrics, not to mention gentle humour. This is not a happy record. But it is one where misery is beautiful, raw and crisp.

Date review added:  Monday, March 27, 2006
Reviewer:  Lynne Pettinger
Reviewers Rating:
Related web link:  artist's website