Helen Boulding: New Red Dress
Helen Boulding is in a New Red Dress on her debut
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Tuesday, 18, Nov 2008 10:57
Maid in Sheffield, out now.
In a nutshell.
Warm, comfortable, and easy to listen to.
What's it all about?
Boulding's debut album comprises of 12 songs, each flowing blissfully smoothly with steady and calming vocals, and charming music. In songs like Copenhagen, through ear lifting acoustics and a delighted breathy voice, a message of hope comes through as Helen reminds listeners that it's never too late to start over.
In the rock-influenced, swagger filled What a Fool, Helen reflects on how she has acted in a past relationship, and in Breathe, a similar swagger is also carried out.
Who's it by?
The young Sheffield native Helen Boulding was destined to have music stay in her life since she was a little girl. Hanging around her uncle''s pub called Fagan's that also served as a haunt for performances from local bands, Helen quickly grew interested in music and desired to produce her own.
Years later, the young artist released her debut album, New Red Dress in February of 2008 with critical acclaim and the attention of many respectable and famed musician colleagues. Since this time, New Red Dress has garnered two singles including radio-friendly Breathe and Copenhagen.
As an example...
"Looking for hope, looking for trust/A little piece of love." - Breathe
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
While Helen does have the talent and the chops to have gained recognition in the UK, it is unclear to tell whether or not she will make it big enough in the US to achieve the honour of a Grammy award.
However, radio play and continued praise for her fabulous voice will enable her star to continue to shine and allow her to acquire more fans over time. Her music, while warm and lovely, is not exactly a genre that has never been done before, which is where it can feel slightly overdone in that regard, but when push comes to shove, the bottom line is that what lies within this album is a woman who has a soothing talent that could lull anyone her way with her soft vocals and hearty harmonies.
What the others say
"This isn't for those of you looking for something daring or exciting. There's nothing dramatically new or remarkable here; instead it's a comforting warm listen that, with the right support could be spread all over your radio dials this summer." - BBC
"A poetic longing bleeds out of More Than Missing You, mirroring the potency of Beth Orton." - Designer Magazine
So is it any good?
For a debut album, this work is incredibly impressive and will help Boulding to get the recognition that she deserves. While some songs sound a bit too similar to the next, the music world should give her due credit for coming through with an album that displays her obvious ability and talents.
She reflects a classic idea of a female singer who could cater for a large audience, and one that women in particular can also relate to, yet there seems to be some missing piece in this album that would allow her to compete with the likes of such popular female songstresses like Amy Winehouse (pre-crack), Kate Nash, or Adele.
There is sincere hope that Helen, with a growing buzz and sufficient radio play, will be able to break through to a higher level of commercial success and consumption with a second album that challenges the lyrical and musical mould of what this genre of music has previously produced.
Absolutely worth a listen to, and more so, Helen is an artist to watch as she moves forward through new accomplishments.
7/10
Valerie Haberman