Picked this one up at a gig recently. Just as well that I'd just seen If You Lived Here You'd Be Home By Now perform live as there is nothing as decadent as a track listing on the sleeve. At least I can take a shot at identifying the songs…
Whilst the lack of editing suggests these 7 tracks may in fact be demos, it does not distract unduly from their appeal. There is a drifting, tortured soul thing going on in Clare Whyte's vocals that is accentuated by the classically styled piano figures, off kilter percussion and cello that provide the accompaniment with all this underpinned by atmospheric sound samples. "I Am a Small Child" and "Waltz" sounds like they should be on soundtrack to some gothic fairytale. Come to think of it, all the songs seem best suited to the dark.
This is certainly not a dull collection of songs and it does not pander to the tastes of the mass market. No doubt it could be classed as arthouse but I found it quite moving.