Although Karine Polwart has been around in groups like the Battlefied Band and Malinky, this is her first solo album. It's brilliant.The quality of all the songs, all self-penned, is remarkably high from the up beat 'Four Strong Walls' the jazzy opener 'Only One Way', the beautiful folky, 'Faultlines' and 'Waterlily' to the murder ballad 'Azalea Flower' The instrumentation is rich and imaginative; for example a fairly ordinary opening to 'Skater on the Surface' is transformed by brilliant brass. There is not a weak moment on the record. It is the finest album by a woman singer that I have heard for ages. It should be a classic, the blending of styles is superb. I can't recommend this too highly.
Tracklist :
1. Only One Way
2. Faultlines
3. Four Strong Walls
4. The Sun's Comin' Over The Hill
5. Resolution Road
6. Waterlily
7. What Are You Waiting For?
8. Skater Of The Surface
9. Harder To Walk These Days Than Run
10. The Light On The Shore
11. Azalea Flower
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