Miwa Gemini "This is How I Found You" (Addictive Records 2008)

Classically trained pianist branches out

Miwa Gemini is an exceptionally accomplished musician, employing guitar, piano, banjo and mandolin to get her point across (the only other musician featured on this recording is drummer Brian Lackey). Her second album is a brief affair at only 34 minutes and 9 songs ensuring she doesn’t overstay her welcome.

The first thing that stands out on ‘This is How I found You’ is an element of Bjork like eccentricity to Miwa’s sound. However, Miwa manages to use this eccentricity to charm rather than annoy the listener. Admirably, she is not afraid of a bit of cross genre pollination in her sound also. Some tracks float buy in a pseudo, anti-folk haze (‘Room of You’ and ‘Forever For Never’) while the better tracks (in my opinion), have a harder edge to them (‘Travelling Man’, ‘Crazy Over You’).

Miwa Gemini is undoubtedly a talented musician, although with this release, one can’t escape the feeling that she is still finding her focus as a song-writer. However, Miwa Gemini has originality in spades and, if she is able to fully focus her talent,she could well be a name to listen out for.

Date review added:  Monday, February 18, 2008
Reviewer:  Dan Wilkinson
Reviewers Rating:
Related web link:  Artist Website