B+

B

D-A-

ATracey Thorn has been out of

the spotlight for some time now.

Beginning her career in 1982,

shortly thereafter she joined the

band Everything About the Girl.

She’s made guest appearances

with bands such as Massive

Attack and Deep Dish. In 2000,

she took some time off to raise

her blossoming family, but began

writing in 2005; Out of the Woods

is the result.

She reminds me of a

modern age, relaxed version of

Annie Lennox (same haircut

though). This electronic-folk

album is a musical trip for some

tracks, while others allow for a

gentle come-down without all of

the incessant paranoia. It is an

eclectic journey beginning with

‘Here It Comes Again (track

1) straight through to Raise the

Roof (track 11). I enjoy her work,

because Thorn savours each song

without being self-indulgent and

losing the focus of each tune.

This is a mood album:

there will be some songs that

are not appropriate for a coffee

shop, but you may want to lose

yourself on the dance floor.

Then again, there are others that

you could enjoy while sipping

on your favourite brew, while

staring blankly at the wall, deep

in thought. Songs that have a

serious beat to them are not to be

outdone by the tracks with gentle

piano accompaniment; the folk

and electronic elements do not

clash, but instead meet each other

halfway and happily agree to be

awesome.

I am extremely glad that

Tracey Thorn decided to venture

Out of the Woods to give us this

album.

C-