Linda McLean

CD: No Language
(Nettwerk)

Linda McLean - No Language (Bongo Beat)

Whoa there, here's another of those hitherto-well-kept-secret female singer-songwriters from across the pond... How I've not come across Linda before is another of life's imponderables she released an album on Rounder (Betty's Room) a while back, on the strength of which critics dubbed her "a rough-hewn Lucinda Williams", which on the evidence of No Language ain't such a bad tag, certainly as far as her songwriting's concerned. I'm not sure Linda's got quite the same kind of distinctive tonal quality in her vocal chops (yet), but she's heading that way - that's for certain. Her performance is every bit as vibrant, and she knows exactly how to ensnare a listener with a lyrical or melodic hook: in that respect just about every one of the dozen songs on No Language scores an immediate bullseye. The (deceptively) bouncy opener Love Nor Money sets out Linda's stall with some "right-on" universal commentary on modern-day values, after which the focus shifts to the personal for the storming, jangling rock of How Strong Is Your Sorrow, and stays right there even through moments of more politically-inclined contemplation (the plaintive mid-tempo Calling) and confident life-philosophy (What I'm After), and even the poignant heartbreak of the sad rocker All Around (which turns out to be the first song Linda ever wrote!). Linda's writing has a deep sense of awareness of the way our existence can be altered irrevocably by one moment of choice, a realisation summarised by the haunting Lives Change. Almost Alien embodies that seductive combination of feistiness and tenderness I associate with Chrissie Hynde. Even though there's a more than sufficient quotient of drive and guts in the more uptempo of the songs, I do find myself replaying some of the quieter, more considered moments more often. The closing Burn The Boats and the beautifully evocative Amsterdam Canals are particular highlights, and the expressive range of Linda's voice on these cuts is quite stunning, moving from powerhouse grit to soaring yearning and intense vulnerability, often within the same song (the title track being a really good example). Finally, some credit for the great sound of this record must go to the rest of Linda's crew, with production (and some of the music) by partner Andy (who plays guitars throughout) and fine keyboard work and rhythm section (John Whynot, Gary Craig and Maury Lafoy respectively). Keep an eye on Linda - she's gonna be big I reckon.

David Kidman June 2007
NetRhythms

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