Reviews & Press
A selection of recent reviews for elaine's current album 'Waves'.
MOJO Magazine
With a beautifully conversational voice, an unerring sense of melody and a bittersweet and wistful repertoire, Elaine Palmer is undoubtedly a talent. 'Waves' engineered by Julie McLarnon, who can list Lampchop and Nine Black Alps on her CV, is always pleasant, if seldon truly memorable. A brace of songs - the delightful 'In My Dream' and 'Homefair Blues' - define Palmer's mildly melancholic muse, while the more direct 'In Your Company' has probably the best chance of national exposure. Elsewhere, the quietude of the half-heard vocals and the unpartiuclarised musical wash of polite classical guitar, harmonium, chimes. double bass and cello, soothe rather than inspire. But lovers of confessional, unadorned musis will rate this. David Buckley / August 2006
UNCUT Magazine
The name might sound rather bland, but Palmer's actually a fine troubadour who, refreshingly, isn't chasing Dido or KT Tunstall's coat-tails. Beth Orton at her most ethereal is perhaps the closest comparison, but even then it's a hint rather than a stel. Written while living by the sea, the sky and the ocean loom large in the imagery of such unashamedly romantic songs as "Harbour of Refuge" and "Homefair Blues", while members of Lamb embelish Palmer's intricate quitar-picking with evocative washed of cello and double bass. 3/5 Stars. Nigel Williamson / July 2006
Hi-Fi Choice
Music: Everyone - from Mojo to some of the nationals - is starting to rave about Ms Palmer and after a few plays of this I surrendered too. With a tough but tender voice, both sultry and intelligent, and some great acoustic songs of her own creation, Elaine has a fine original talent. Older listeners will find echoes of Rebbecae Pidgeon, Melanie and even Joni Mitchell in some of these eleven tracks but Palmer's skill lies in effortlessly fusing such iconic sources into a total, and mostly innovative, whole. The tuneful, bittersweet 'Terease' the forceful 'In Your Company' and the gentle 'In My Dream' are perhaps the best numbers being played here but, honestly, they're all pretty damned strong. The perfect soundtrack for a memorable night in. (4 stars)
Audio: Well recorded - with rounded edges that are never flabby by Julie McLaren at Madchester's Analogue Catalogue studio. (4 stars). June 2006
Terrorscope
More folk loveliness can be found on 'Waves' the second album from Elaine Palmer whose wistful and emotional songs are the perfect vehicle for her rich voice which is captivating and clear throughout the album.
Opening track 'Blue Sky' sets the scene, the sad guitar melody beautifully accompanied by a doleful accordian and brushed percussion that gently move the song along to the rhythm of the voice. In fact, one of the joys of this album is the way an array of instruments is used to bring out the nuances of the words, every drop of emotion is discovered as the tune slowly unfolds before your ears. It's not all doom and gloom however, there is a vein of humour and optimism running through these honest observations, sorrows forgotten in the song of a bird or a sudden flash of sunlight on water, the idea that time will heal and all can be forgiven.
It is the voice however, that draws me in, reminding me of Marissa Nadler in it's delivery, full of passion and an honesty that is another reason that the album is so rewarding, meaning that the songs become old friends, familiar and welcome. All this becomes obvious in 'In My Dreams' the piano and cello combining with the melody in a soft cloud of longing to create a wonderful piece of music that is matched in quality by the rest of the album. Simon Lewis / May 2006
Netrhythms.co.uk
Discovered by Clint Boon of Inspiral Carpets who released her debut on his own label, the Yorkshire singer-songwriter is back with her sophomore release. It's a more wide ranging affair than Into The Spotlight, featuring members of Lamb on double bass, cello, drums and electric bass while Palmer takes on classical guitar, accordion, harmonium, chimes, and piano duties for a set of songs that run from the intimate In To You and Homefair Blues to the relatively more full-blooded arrangements of the shuffling Blue Sky and tinklingly countrified uptempo In Your Company. Her soothing, plaintive voice still evokes thoughts of Melanie and the folksily romantic songs remain rooted in exploring the ups and downs of relationships and self-confidence, their textures firmly influenced by the fact she wrote them in a reflective mood while living on the coast. Taking its cue from the title, the album has a gentle lapping quality, rippling, ebbing and flowing through sometimes uncertain emotions, searching for that sense of security, solace and belonging that informs Harbour of Refuge and the shimmeringly lovely closing track, Resting Ground. Ideally, the likes of Terease, Morning Love and the back porch strumming hymnal Some Deadly Sin should be listened to with a chilled white wine by your side as you sit outside in the early morning salty tanged air, letting the fresh breeze of dawn brush your hair and the smell of lilac curl into your senses, but what the hell, it still sounds great in the living room too. Mike Davies/ July 2006