Catherine Feeny: Hurricane Glass
Hurricane Glass is Catherine Feeny's second album
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Sunday, 18, Jun 2006 12:00
Charisma, out June 18th.
In a nutshell.
Quiet, thoughtful, samey, boring
What's it all about?
After reaching out to the niche audience last year, Catherine Feeny's Hurricane Glass has been re-released to the masses. Originally launched on Tallgrass Records, the album has been re-mastered by maestros at EMI, given a new cover and put out on fledging EMI label Charisma.
All but one of the album's 11 tracks have been written by Feeny, with the opener Touch Back Down (the first single from the CD) setting the scene for future simply melodies and thoughtful lyrics.
Incidentally, this re-release of Hurricane Glass follows the use of Mr Blue on TV series the OC and on the soundtrack of new Gwyneth Paltrow film Running with Scissors.
Feeny claims that the album is all about truth, she said: "I realised while recording the album that so many of the songs were connected with the truth. It's a struggle for me to be honest because I like to please people, but I try to be honest with myself."
Who's it by
Folksy Feeny started her musical career in LA, before leaving the fast life for the sleepy tranquillity of the Norfolk coast and the graceful production skills of Sebastian Rogers.
This is her second LP and is lined up as the record that could put the Philadelphia-born crooner on the map.
As an example.
"Together, together, we're so very clever"- Radar
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
The album is likely to be well-received in some circles, though mainstream recognition and a massive nod from industry insiders may be limited. Praise will be plenty, though Feeny may struggle against long-established similar artists.
What the others say
"A voice that oozes sleepy sensuality," - Q.
So is it any good?
Good yes, different no. Hurricane Glass does not present anything new and Catherine Feeny's voice (though very good) doesn't quite have the individual edge of Beth Orton, KT Tunstall and those other female singer songwriters all jostling for the same fan base.
Opening with single Touch Back Down, the first half of the CD is pretty quiet and fails to grab the listener. It's not until Radar - the one track not penned by Feeny - that anything actually happens.
The sound of multiple instruments, even the odd organ, can be picked up towards the later part of the album and Feeny still holds her own. A more rockier sound prevails on the eponymous Hurricane Glass and No Reply, with Feeny sounding like a young Sheryl Crow.
However, Always Tonight is spookily similar to KT Tunstall's Suddenly I See and the opening wind section is dated and tasteless.
Catherine Feeny is obviously a talented singer and her simple lyrics are heartfelt and touching, though sadly the album fails to offer more than the kind of songs typical of American teen dramas.
If Dawson's Creek was ever resurrected hearing Feeny purr about love, longing and lost is a given.
7/10
Rebecca Amir