REVIEWS
Photograph: Ken Leanfore
Album review: Gin Wigmore, Gravel and Wine
16 April 2012
Following time studiously spent in the cavernous South of America, Wigmore reveals increased sass, confidence and enviable technique in her second album Gravel and Wine.
Gravel and Wine opens with a hand including. Jabbing piano keys and dominant percussion sustain the streaks of electric blues and sultry tastes of brass that begin to emerge, during lead single, Black Sheep. The lyrics stress revenge and a twisted, Gothic-lavished love; both prevailing themes of the album. Wigmore indulges in every second of it, grinding her vivacious voice with obvious pleasure and passion in Kill of the Night and Devil in Me.
It’s so satisfying when an album includes one of those swaying, compound-time tunes that oozes with a romance you just can’t help but to be persuaded by. If Only is just the song, bearing a swinging arpeggiated piano and long swooning strings that showcase the softer side to Wigmore’s voice. However it’s not long until the singer returns to the cheeky rock ‘n’ roll swagger of Dirty Love. Her voice is violent and the electric guitar bends in all the right places.
::READ OUR INTERVIEW WITH GIN WIGMORE
The dirt from Wigmore’s voice could very well have been washed away for Saturday Smile. Atop a simple piano accompaniment and small swelter of strings Wigmore repeats “I think it’s love.” She allows the words to rise and tap softly on one’s tear ducts, stirring a gentle churn of emotion and exhibiting clear control of her versatile vocals.
US singer-songwriter Butch Walker produced Gravel and Wine and makes a vocal appearance on the ‘kick up your boots’ ditty Sweet Hell. It’s got that real country-blues thrust, with Johnny Cash Ring of Fire brass and a beat that moves like a train on rusty tracks. Singin’ My Soul tenderly closes Wigmore’s album. Loneliness is drawn out over acoustic warmth that adds to the raw beauty in the singer’s voice.
The New Zealand singer’s sophomore album Gravel and Wine is just that - like Wigmore swallowed grit and it turned to gold.
Gravel and Wine is out now through UMA
Gin Wigmore
Gravel and Wine
(ISL/UMA)
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