Last year I was a little early with my review of Lisa Hannigans’ new album. It had been released in England but we had to wait for it in the Netherlands…and now it has arrived!
Lisa Hannigan initially attracted attention a few years ago as a background vocalist for Damien Rice on his legendary debut album ‘O’. Shortly thereafter she began, what has turned out to be, a very succesful solo career. Her very well received debut Sea Sew was released in 2008 and received many positive reviews in England earning her a Mercury Music Prize nomination. A month ago her her second album, Passenger, has been released and it is remarkably quiet….especially in the Netherlands. I do not think it is due to the quality of the album, as I personally think Passenger is a lot better than her acclaimed debut. Maybe it’s the accessibility of the album? Passenger openly flirts with pop influences and striking rhythms where as Sea Sew is a relatively simple and folksy album. While her new style in Passenger brought me to the edge of my seat, I am glad she didn’t abandon her more folky side. The album includes a pair of whisper-soft folk songs (including a lovely duet with Ray LaMontagne) which are in line with the quality of those from her debut album.
I beleive the key strength of Passenger lies in the contrast between the minimalist folk and playful pop songs. One moment you can hear some of Leslie Feist, Fiona Apple, PJ Harvey, or even Florence & The Machine and in another song you hear hushed folk songs reminiscent of Sandy Denny, Joni Mitchell or, closer to the present, Marissa Nadler. Despite its’ versatility it is certainly not a mishmash. All songs have the beautiful voice of Lisa Hannigan, one of the most beautiful voices in pop music at this moment. Her voice is the binding element that places her idiosyncratic stamp to the album. As a listener, the album carries your through its’ sub-dued whisper songs to the more elaborate pop songs. It is a high quality album put together by Lisa and the highly talented producer Joe Henry.
Passenger lives up the expectation after Lisa Hannigan’s very promising debut album and deserves only praise. I suggest you sit back, take a listen, and let the variation in Lisa Hannigan music seduce you as this abum deserves much more attention.
This review is also posted in Dutch on the music blog De Krenten Uit De Pop