REVIEW: Laura Veirs - July Flame

Laura Veirs: July Flame [Raven Marching Band Records]

I've heard that the winter of 2010 is supposed to be a brutal one and if the famous northeast blizzard of '09 is any indication, then we're all doomed. Luckily, Laura Veirs' 7th studio album July Flame will give the season a warm and cozy soundtrack.

Album opener, "I Can See Your Tracks" starts with a slow burn until it gives way to Veirs' soaring voice as she tells of conflicted love - "oh I can smell the smoke/from your fire, babe/but I'll leave you alone/and sleep in this lonely cave/and pray for a storm to scrub this dirt away". The title [and standout] track, "July Flame" is a catchy and burning ride through a haunting, yet beautiful, forest where the choir chants of "Can I call you my own?" repeat with purpose as they mash perfectly with the accompanying violin. The cello in "Where Are You Driving" breaks the silence of "Sun Is King" as we're taken deeper into Laura's mysterious world of screaming violins and soaring harmonies. "Little Deschutes" gives the warm acoustic a rest as we lend our ears to Veirs' dark piano ballad until the happy-go-lucky, horn enhanced, hand-clapping "Summer Is The Champion" brings us to bloom and gives us hope for a lush spring - "Summer is the champion/Let's get dizzy in the grass!". The 13-song album closes with the calming "Make Something Good" as she promises "it's gonna take a long, long time/but we're gonna make something so fine." - a solid quote to take with us as we head into 2010.

Top Picks:
MP3 :: Laura Veirs - July Flame
MP3 :: Laura Veirs - Where Are You Driving
MP3 :: Laura Veirs - Summer Is The Champion
MP3 :: Laura Veirs - Make Something Good

July Flame will be out Jan 12th on Raven Marching Band Records [US] and Bella Union [UK]. Do your part and pre-order the [signed] LP NOW and save 13% when you purchase it with the t-shirt and songbook!