22 Nov 2024
Mel Parsons - Album Review: Drylands
05 May 2015 // A review by Alistar3000
Back in 2011 I reviewed Mel Parsons' second
album Red Grey Blue and enjoyed it – it had some well written songs, was well
produced, and was easy to listen to.
When I first popped in her latest album Drylands, I thought she’d taken a bit of a different path to the alt-country that dominated her first album. Far Away was a Florence Welch-esque piece of writing, full sounding with big choruses. I was definitely interested in where the album was going to go after that.
Except then it veered back into familiar territory – this was the Mel Parson’s of Red Grey Blue back again, and to be honest I felt a little disappointed. Sure, the songwriting was still strong, the production is great, and the (lengthy) list of guests on the album should give you some idea as to the overall skill involved in bringing Drylands to life – Anika Moa, Andrew Keoghan, Lisa Tomlins and Ed Zuccollo, just to name a few. But it didn’t feel like much had changed between 2011 and 2015.
A couple of other tracks later in the album (Down So Long, Friend) seem to hint at that new sound from the start of the album, before returning to the same tried and true formula. Fans of her previous work are going to love this, and it’s as good an intro to her sound as her previous work, but I still can’t help feeling like it could have given more.
About Mel Parsons
The Kiwi singer/songwriter and two time NZ Music Award (VNZMA) finalist for Folk Album of the Year, has released the first single from Drylands – the gutsy & rhythmic audience favourite originally performed with Fly My Pretties, Far Away. With a dynamite live show, solo or with her band, Parsons is an engaging performer with a natural emotive voice that allows the listener to become part of the story.
With home as a hotel room and a suitcase, Parsons has built up her fan base the old fashioned way – winning over audiences on the live circuit. The only New Zealand artist invited to showcase at Folk Alliance International in Kansas City, USA in 2014 & 2015, Parsons has also had recent tours in Australia, UK, Ireland, and Germany. She is also a cast member of Kiwi musical collective Fly My Pretties, with tours and festival performances including the prestigious Byron Bay Bluesfest at Easter 2015.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Mel Parsons
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