“Sunny Road”
from the album Fisherman’s Woman
2005
iTunes
Emiliana Torrini has one of those highly individual, quirky voices that provoke strong reactions in the listener. Some might find her ever so affected and fey, but a closer listen unveils hidden depths in her lightly accented voice. The half-Italian, half-Icelandic singer specialises in simple melodic songs and lightly poetic lyrics.
After an award-winning success with the song she wrote for Kylie Minogue (“Slow”) and “Gollum’s Song” for the second film in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy “The Two Towers,” Fisherman’s Woman goes back to basics. The album was written with Brixton based producer Mr. Dan and is a largely acoustic, stripped down affair.
A concept album of sorts, Fisherman’s Woman is based around loss yet a sense of hope. The opening track: “Nothing Brings Me Down” sets the scene, with a haunting, shifting guitar and a steady melody. Her voice is sweet, quirky and cute, but there’s hidden depths there, like someone old before her time. More traditional than Björk and less annoying than Stina Nordenstam, her voice is touching and uplifting.
The first single from the album, “Sunny Road,“ is reminiscent of Nick Drake in pop-folk mode — simple, well-crafted and joyful. The whole album is lightly hypnotic and comforting, the melodies sometimes repetitive, but never boring.
“Lifesaver” creaks like a familiar old ship, lulling you into a false sense of security. Listen carefully and you can hear her smiling gently as an accordion drifts along in the background. The track “Honeymoon Child” is set apart slightly from the main thrust of the album, as it was penned by Bill Callahan of (smog), but acts as a turning point rather than a distraction, as the second half is brighter and more upbeat. The title track “Fisherman’s Woman” is a modern blues gem, playing with rhythm, wistful and heartbreaking, but much too short.
A journey with Fisherman’s Woman is like being becalmed on the ocean, a moment of hope and stillness, restful and refreshing.