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SINGER SONGWRIT'ER DEAN OWENS Whisky Hearts (Navigator) 0.0.
The craft of songwriting has become devalued in mainstream music these days. but there remain talented individuals Out there waiting to be found. One such is Dean Owens. Leith-based singer songwriter with a fine line in heartfelt Americana mixed with more traditional folk influences. This, his third solo album is lovingly constructed and consummater executed. sl'iowcasing Owens' deceptively simple style and his unerring ability to tap into something universal which strikes straight at the listener‘s head.
It is a skill he shares
with fellow Leithers The Proclaimers. or more distantly. with the everyman musings of Bruce Springsteen, and Whisky Hearts brings both artists to mind. while at the same time being brimful of its own inimitable character.
As with Owens' previous work. there is a range of atmosphere and styles. but it‘s when he's in his most contemplative moods that his songs work their best magic. ‘Raining in Glasgow' has the feel of a low- key anthem about it. the kind of thing the whole of Scotland could take to their hearts. while the more folk-flocked title track manages to channel a hundred years of homespun truths into a sumptuous three and a half minutes.
Even better than that. though. is ‘Man From Leith'. a song which could come to define Owens. A deeply personal and movuig song about his father, it
manages to be specific.
yet universal, small in
focus yet huge in scope. a truly wonderful piece of work which crowns a fine album and confirms Owens as an impressive talent. (Doug Johnstonel
POP EMILIANA TORRINI
Me and Armini (Rough Trade) .0.
Torrini is frustrating. The Icelandic chanteuse is gifted both in terms of her gorgeous natural voice and her perceptwe pop songwriting (she co wrote ‘Slow' for Kylie. for examplei. But she also likes to muck about. and this third album has plenty of
half baked ideas not really converted into successful tunes. Genre hopping like cra/y. there's sunny ska
in the title track. orchestral pop on
‘l leard it All Before'. fu//y rockabilly in \Jungle Drum and loads more. It's distinctly hit and miss. but when she gets 3. right. like ()l‘. the achingly beautiful folk cf 'l-3eggar's l’ra‘tei'. it's: mesmerising. Sitdl‘, this happens too lllil'(}(]ll(}llil‘\.'.
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BlASVEGAS . THEOEBUT MBUM 00.00.00 ~
‘An awesome record of breathtaking depth and beauty’ - NME
‘Music of national significance’ - Q “dd:
‘Simply every great Scottish band rolled into one’ - Daily Record
‘Their Definitely Maybe’ Observer Music Monthly “out
www.glasvegas.net
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THE LIST 67