ALBUM REVIEWS

Danielle Spencer CALLING ALL MAGICIANS DANIELLE SPENCER MUSIC 15.2.10 @www.vanguard-online.co.uk Ok, let’s get the gossip out of the way, yes Danielle Spencer is Mrs Russell Crowe and has an extensive list of film and TV credits to her name but ‘Calling All Magicians’ should be taken on its merits alone. My first thought is to compare her to Tori Amos with her hauntingly dark lyrics and it’s the lyrical content that really shines on the album which is backed by some hypnotic playing, this is an album of contemplation of the trials of life. The album kicks off with ‘Just A Thought’ is a mellow beginning but the pace is quickened and darkened with ‘On Your Side’ and ‘The Broken Ones’ with its near spoken word chorus. The title tracks could be the soundtrack to a Terry Pratchet novel with its fantasy references but I don’t think the magicians and dragons spoken about are the traditional fantasy stereotypes. Calling All Magicians demands your entire concentration, accompanied with a decent bottle of red when you desire a period of contemplation of the virtues and difficulties of life. Like Tori Amos it’s very hard to put Danielle Spencer into any genres and I like this, I like the album - it is quirky, deep and demands your undivided attention to get the most out of it. Simon Mulholland www.myspace.com/daniellespencer Email Links & Comments to the editor Check the latest album releases