Fire

Blazing Fires

Never heard of Nerina Pallot (it's pronounced Ne-ree-nah Pall-o)? Well, you are probably not alone. Pallot's career was launched and simultaneously stalled in 2001 with the release of her debut album, the under-appreciated, Dear Frustrated Superstar. While mulling over life options which included becoming an English teacher, the gifted Pallot kept singing and writing. These efforts would culminate in Pallot's 2005 sophomore effort, Fires. After falling on deaf ears, Fires has been re-mastered and repackaged for 2006 with a new label and a fresh marketing push. Pallot brings much to the musical table including a versatile and pleasing voice, inventive melodies and thoughtful lyrics sprinkled liberally with philosophical allusions. Blending folk, rock and pop into a shiny package, Nerina offers vocals that are reminiscent of Joni Mitchell, Sheryl Crowe, Paul Simon and Carole King. Even though Pallot has been influenced by some of the past greats in music, she still retains a sparkling and sarcastic wit and an intelligence that brands her work as refreshingly original.

Whether featuring guitar or demonstrating intricate piano styling, Fires, is packed to the brim with elegant and at times playful tracks. The CD kicks off with the anti-war rocker, Everybody's Gone to War. This 1960's style protest song boasts such lyrics as:

I knew him well when he was seventeen,

Now he's a man he'll be dead by Christmas.'�

Fires runs the gambit of topics and emotions from life, death, depression, joy, loneliness, regret and self-examination, all with a serious yet whimsical attitude. Some songs of note on the album include the lyrical masterpiece, Damascus, and the wonderfully orchestrated and haunting, Idaho which includes the lyrics:

I can't be anyone but me

And I can't keep dreaming that I am free

I don't want to fall asleep and watch my life from fifty feet,

My hands are on the wheel so I am driving to Idaho,

Cause I hear it's mighty pretty in Idaho�

The song that may prove to be the gem of the collection is the simply produced and introspective, Mr. King. This philosophical track is drenched with the influences of Paul Simon and even Sir Paul McCartney. This one is a delight and needs to be played several times to gain its full effect. Pallot's wit is on display during the next song, the comical and infectious Geek Love. This cut is a tongue-in-cheek popper with a bouncing, carnival lilt. Following Geek Love is Sophia, another noteworthy track. One of the highlights of Nerina's live shows, Sophia, is a ballad of desperate, burning and unfilled love as it confesses:

Sophia, Sophia, I'm burning, am burning,

It's a fire, a fire I cannot put out,

Sophia, Sophia I'm learning that some things I can't go without,

And one of those is him.�

The only song that did not measure up to the brilliance of the rest of the album was the popish and rather shallow, All Good People. But even though this particular track didn't hit a high note, its melody is one that is not easily forgotten.

Keep an eye out for the gifted and talented, Nerina Pallot. If there is any justice in the musical world, her success in the UK will be multiplied around the globe. Intelligence, wit, purposeful lyrics and exceptional melodies are what you will find in Fires. A must buy for the thinking fan of pop.

Kirk deCordova

dallasmusic.com

Rating ***** (5/5 stars)