Nerina Pallot – ‘Fires’ (14th Floor) Released 17/04/06

Rolling off the bandwagon of female singer-songwriters is Nerina Pallot, but is it fair to just stamp her with the label of just another Sheryl Crow? Taking influence from the expected likes of Martha Wainwright and Tori Amos, in addition to ‘Fires’ being a re-release, it seems like she is keeping to the strict ‘Top of The Pops’ audience drawing board. On the other hand, though, there is the slightest of PJ Harvey tinge in the album that sees the better creative side to Pallot.

This 10 track long album, begins with ‘Damascus’ and on first listen it sounds like we’re in for a dreary time, sounding so so much like Sheryl Crow, its really not a good start. The next track shows us that, unlike others, were not going to be limited to just the acoustic guitar, being the classically trained pianist she is, we see some effortlessly flowing piano, matched with undeniably beautiful vocals, on ‘Sophia.’  Carrying on with the piano façade, ‘Idaho’ has the addition of violins and drums to carry the song on its melodic journey. After hearing these three songs it seems to be getting better with time and Gigwise is actually looking forward to the fourth track, ‘Geek Love’ with its gloriously intriguing name. However, the song simply disappoints, it takes on pop characteristics with its sweeping melodies, you can’t help but to think you’ve heard it before. More of the same follows with the Tunstall-esque ‘Nickindia.’

After seeing the beautiful and the plain dreary sides to Pallot, we see the remarkable side on ‘Mr King’. With her soothing voice gliding across your ears at a heartbeat pace, it is sheer beauty. The use of quirky space sounds gives it that extra bit of scintillating imagination. Without a doubt, the standout track on the album, its inventive in the lyrics and is magically mesmerizing to listen to. Sit back and enjoy.

‘Everybody’s Gone To War’ on the other hand, is pop fuelled crap that, if anything, just annoys you after hearing such a great song, no surprises then that she’s releasing it as her next single and will probably succeed in getting that ‘Top Of The Pops’ appearance. Followed by, ‘Learning To Breathe’ which carries on with country folk pop, it is an exceptionally boring four minutes. Last two tracks on this ride are ‘Heart Attack’ which impresses, and ‘All Good People’ which doesn’t.

A fickle little album that has some good parts to it which will really impress, and the rest, that is just painfully unimaginative pop, that punctures the whole album.