Elly Roberts reviews
Tom McRae: All Maps Welcome
Distributed by
Sony/BMG
- Released: May 2005
- Rating: 10/10
- Cat.no.: 82876689502
Sometimes, it makes me wonder what it takes to get noticed in this business.
Get an image ‘make-over’ or ‘sell-out’? Many have. Thankfully, there’s no
chance of Tom McRae going there.
With a huge arsenal of talent at his disposal,he sounds more Americana than
Englander from Suffolk. Recorded in LA, McRae (dubbed the ‘new Nick Drake’)
delivers a gloriously rousing 11 track collection. This release is as good as
anything Damien Rice (O), Stephen Fretwell (Magpie), Bright Eyes
(I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning) and James Blunt (Back To Bedlam)
have done.
By now, I’d have thought some ‘commercial ‘attention would have happened, but
McRae still hasn’t won over the mainstream listener. Sadly this may not to do
the trick either. Nevertheless, it will no doubt be critically acclaimed by
‘musos’ and press alike.
Grizzly guitars, sweeping volumes of strings, gentle acoustic guitars, violins
and horns, it has a heavy splash of achingly beautiful vocals and longing lyrics
in the Rice mould.
His sure-fire break would come via a TV ad or soundtrack inclusion.
He’s not a household name(yet),but don’t overlook this guy’s amazing songwriting
skills as there isn’t a weak track in sight.
Don’t miss this at any cost:it’s a real work of art.
The full list of tracks included are :
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
