So, in the realm of the singer songwriter, has anything actually changed in the last ten years? No, and neither is it likely to although the cynical amongst you will not be surprised by the fact that there are a lot fewer acoustic nights than there used to be. However, all is not lost for fans of the simpler – indeed, more natural – approach with Melanie Crew using the five songs of her “Midnight Sounds” EP as evidence that all you really need is a voice, a heart and a guitar.
The cynical amongst you might therefore also assume that these five songs are but more of the same yet there is, perhaps, more going on here with Ms. Crew, while certainly in search of literate melancholy, taking an endearingly direct and naturalistic approach in her portrayal of heartfelt emotions and life’s sad stories. All that is here does live in the land of the downbeat yet she nonetheless adds a beguiling innocence that is quite simply refreshing in these days of corporate moral turpitude.
Of the songs, “Out of Sight” stands out as the one that you are most likely to want to take home with you at the end of the night. I would further hazard a guess that it would also be the song that is still with you in the morning.
Available from Bandcamp.