Isobel Campbell released an album with Mark Lanegan in March that is already justifiably being praised as one of the best albums of the year. Although she's still not exactly a big name, the positive critical reception of Ballad of the Broken Seas and Campbell's past stint with twee royalty Belle & Sebastian has made her new solo album highly anticipated among the Converse-sneakers-and-horn-rimmed-glasses crowd. Unfortunately, Milk White Sheets lacks the variety and adventurous spirit of Ballad.
In an era in which it has become acceptable for bands and singers to wait three years in between albums, it is hard to fault Campbell for only coming up with one stellar album in 2006. On the other hand, Ballad, itself a minor triumph, highlights some of the flaws that leave Milk White Sheets merely pleasant.
Ballad engendered vaguely warranted Nancy & Lee comparisons, yet few have noted the major flaw in that assessment -- Isobel Campbell has little of the vocal panache of a Nancy Sinatra. Though her delicate, chiming voice can be effective, it becomes monotonous over the course of Milk White Sheets. Song after song is performed with the same vocal delivery, with little attention paid to style or phrasing.
Where Ballad of the Broken Seas synthesized dusty Americana with traditional English folk, Milk White Sheets lacks this sense of dialectical force. Five of the tracks are traditional folk songs, performed with barely any individual stamp on them. The least traditional of the album's tracks is its closer, "Thursday's Child." With an intriguing arrangement of delicate strings over a thudding bass drum, it offers an appreciated respite from the homogeneity of the album. Unfortunately, it also goes on a minute or two too long.
This overall sense of vocal and generic uniformity is certainly a shortcoming, but it would be unfair not to mention the many strengths of Milk White Sheets. Campbell proves herself a formidable songwriter. Her originals stand up quite nicely against the old chestnuts she covers. In particular, jaunty and playful numbers like "Catchel Wood" and "Beggar, Wiseman or Thief" are some of the album's strongest songs.
In addition, the compelling instrumental arrangements that reach their peak in "Thursday's Child" are present in many other tracks. Campbell is a multi-instrumentalist and plays dulcimer, guitar and cello, among other instruments. While her vocal performances may lack variety, her musical talents are omnipresent.
Milk White Sheets may find most of its utility as an English folk gateway drug. The album draws undeniable influence from such English folk revivalists as Anne Briggs and Shirley Collins. Campbell even cites them as inspiration in the liner notes.
If Milk White Sheets finds any commercial success, it may help to dispel the myth, propagated by Zach Braff and Volkswagen commercials alike, that Nick Drake is the only English folkie worth remembering. Even noting all the album's shortcomings, this is something worth appreciating.
Read More
The best albums of 2014
By Noah Zeidman | December 4, 2014Across genres, it has been a pretty great year in music.
Top 10 movies of 2014
December 4, 2014This has been an excellent year for film, offering everything from gripping blockbusters to innovative personal films.
Iggy Azalea is “Reclassified”
December 4, 2014It has become common practice among music artists to repackage their albums in an effort to simultaneously boost single sales and dish out new content by slightly renaming the album or slapping “Deluxe” onto the title.
