Lisa Mitchell: Wonder
Lisa Mitchell: Wonder
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By Adam Leveridge
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Friday, 12, Mar 2010 11:18
Sony Music, out now.
What's it all about?
Wonder is really like a feature-length version of the Surf advert that most people will probably recognise Lisa Mitchell's voice from. Neapolitan Dreams, the song selected for the commercial, features understandably high up the track listing, but is by no means the only stand-out entry on the playlist.
However, that does not mean that the album is a cornucopia of styles; instead, Mitchell's carefree vocals are a common thread throughout, taking centre stage on each track amid an often busy but rarely cluttered array of instruments and backing vocals.
This is the kind of album you might expect to see available to buy at a coffee shop counter - and playing in the background at the same time. It's inoffensive but well constructed, non-challenging but written with craftsmanship and care.
Who's it by?
If you thought Lisa Mitchell was an EastEnders character played by Lucy Benjamin, prepare to have your world reshaped. Mitchell seems likely to be around for a while at least, with her live performances packed out, download sales strong and views of her videos - including the Surf advert with Neapolitan Dreams as its soundtrack - continuing to climb.
Originally born in England, Mitchell moved with her Scottish father to Australia at the age of three, giving her something of a patchwork heritage that is reflected in her musical tastes - which range from the greats such as Cat Stevens and Van Morrison, to modern classic acts such as The Killers.
As an example...
"I like the way that you talk/I like the way that you walk/It's hard to recreate/Such an individual gait" - Neapolitan Dreams
What the others say
"Mitchell brings us a selection of songs that take in folk and pop, but occasionally venturing into light country and even slight grunge." - The Music Fix
"Wonder is a delectable balance between the syrupy sweet and piquant sour, and Mitchell has carved an oeuvre that is utterly unique." - Cream Magazine
So is it any good?
If you have a penchant for pared-back vocals that can carry you away to a world of the lyricist's own creation, then Wonder is likely to be down your street. There is an acid test for whether or not you will like this album, of course, which is to watch the Surf advert. If you find yourself thinking "I really must buy some washing powder", then perhaps Mitchell's music is not quite your thing. If you catch yourself thinking "I really must buy this album" then you've hit the jackpot.
For the parts of the CD that haven't been mass-marketed via commercial television, there are actually just a couple of sour points for me. Only occasionally, the throwaway style of the vocals and instrumental arrangements goes a little too far - such as on the opening track, the 46-second fragment of Oh What a Beautiful Morning, which does little to add to the album as a whole and delays the introduction of the purer vocals that most fans are probably really waiting for. To be fair though, you can always skip straight to track two, set the CD to loop and pretend that it's a secret track on the end instead.
8/10
Bob Bardsley