BETH ORTON - DAYBREAKER

Beth Orton came into my field of vision through The Chemical Brothers. They collaborated with her on a couple songs. She always had an interesting voice, but her tone and delivery are so subtle it never really caught my attention. I finally saw her perform on the television show Charmed and that was what really caught my attention. Her performance was so stoic and simple. She came across unassuming and completely lacking the pretentious flash and glamour of a rock star. In that shiny moment, I realized she was something completely different.

Orton's approach to this record is much like the cover photo... It's real and genuine, yet looks so much like a watercolor painting you catch yourself second guessing and taking another look. The music is beautiful, passionate and full while at the same time coming across like something non-committal. She leaves you almost wondering what comes next. 'Paris Train' is the opening track. Between the flowing, yet dismal pace of the song, you catch a glimpse of something Orton is setting you up to discover. She narrates her songs as much as sings them. There's a story happening here. The most beautiful line is, "I see right through the scenery". That line to me is perfect for how one views the world outside a train window. It slips past you so quickly it seems surreal. The follow-up number 'Concrete Sky' features Ryan Adams on vocals. It's a ballad but the combination of the two singers make it a compelling number. I really enjoy this number. 'Mount Washington' is an odd number but it has a wonderful chorus that redeems it. 'Anywhere' has a 70's soul feel to it. Orton sings it with sincerity and delivers a lovely performance once again, salvaging a potential stinker of a number and making it sweet. 'Daybreaker' is the odd man out on this record. It sounds more like something The Chemical Brothers would do for her than something Beth would choose for herself.

'Carmella' is the first truly infectious song of the album. The guitar strums in and Beth starts singing in falsetto before the meat of the verse kicks in. She gives it a driving stare and it transforms into something truly amazing. 'God Song' features a duet with Emmylou Harris and Ryan Adams appears again offering some background support. It's a down home kinda song, but it's lovely at the same time. Orton proves even as an British pop singer, she can hold her own with American superstars of country music. The next song is actually written by Ryan Adams for Beth. It's called 'This One's Gonna Bruise' and it's magnificent. That's almost an unfair statement when you consider how much I normally love Ryan and his material. But Orton takes the number and makes it her own without sacrificing the integrity of the music.

'Ted's Waltz' is another minor keyed number that's off center and strange right up until Orton's light voice caresses the music and gives it some heart. She transforms a lackluster number into something truly beautiful. The last cut, 'Thinking About Tomorrow' is one of my favorite songs of hers ever. I love the chorus, "This habit's so hard to break but it's easy to make..." Truly insightful and wonderful.

Beth is on my radar and I'm following her work now. Loving what I'm hearing and really getting into her. She's brilliant. My final words: PEACEFUL SERENITY.

BETH ORTON - DAYBREAKER
01. Paris Train
02. Concrete Sky
03. Mount Washington
04. Anywhere
05. Daybreaker
06. Carmella
07. God Song
08. This One's Gonna Bruise
09. Ted's Waltz
10. Thinking About Tomorrow