Fresh from London! Beth Gibbons of Portishead and her Rustin Man
(aka Paul Webb of Talk Talk) have put together a gorgeous album of
stripped-down torch songs. From the opening moments of "Mysteries"
Gibbons's voice awakens that good ache as she whispers "God knows how
I adore life." It's strangely soothing to me, that sentiment. The
accompaniment remains fairly sparse throughout the album, a simple
piano melody on "Show" or the guitar and brushed drum of "Drake." The
latter tune obviously references Nick's work, and this album succeeds
in creating a mood that is similarly intimate. It reminds me of the
Britain that exists outside of London.
God knows how I adore life
When the wind turns on the shore lies another day
I cannot ask for more
And when the timebell blows my heart and I have scored a better day
Well nobody made this war of mine
—"Mysteries"
Let the show begin
It's a sorry sight
Let it all deceive
Now I'm
Pains in me that I've never found
—"Show"
Turning now she caught his eye
For all he knows he cannot see
Pleasures smoulder inside
Cover seasons that fell from view
Long ago
—"Drake"
| 
Heidi J. De Vries
