The Beat Surrender

Helen Boulding suffered some FA Cup heartbreak last weekend, which isn’t something that you maybe expected to find out by reading an album review of her forthcoming debut, but thats the sort of informative website we try to be you see!

You want more details…ok, her relatives Michael and Rory Boulding were heroically beaten in the 4th round last week, with Mansfield Town by Premier League Middlesbrough. Helen’s new single was featured in the BBC coverage of the game and I understand Adrian Chiles is a massive fan of hers.

Having toured with Bryan Ferry in 2007 and having her sleeve artwork photograph taken by Bryan Adams (at least he’s not making music at the moment if he’s busy sbapping away which must surely be a relief), she’s clearly got friends in high places.

Listening to New Red Dress it’s clear to see why, she has a lovely voice and uses it to good effect throughout, from the interview (also in this issue) i’ve done with her she seems a really down to earth person and that comes through in the music. The themes lyrically are all things that you can associate with and musically it generally edges towards a kind of light folk-pop style.

As you would expect the production is faultless, the only thing that really lets the album down is that a few of the tracks are a little bland, nicely done but just missing a slight ingredient to raise them above the norm. When she does soar though she scales some really great heights.

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