Bohemia

MAE MOORE: “Bohemia” (Epic)

HYPE HAS figured strongly in the profiling of Mae Moore to date. She is, we are told, the ‘new’ Suzanne Vega, the ‘new’ Shawn Colvin, on whoever else the corporate spin doctors can draw from the air in their moments of ‘inspiration’. The reality is somewhat different.

Yes, there are times when Moore’s breathiness readily echoes Vega, there are times that make you say ‘now where have I heard that line before?’ – but by the time Bohemia draws to a close, one is left with the distinct feeling that it is but the opening chapter in a career that will surely see her move on to greater things.

The central focus of the music is the interweave between shimmering acoustic guitars and wispy keyboard washes, the perfect foil for songs like the title track and ‘Fall With You’. A song like ‘Because Of Love’ is almost embarrassing to listen to, not because it’s twee – it isn’t – but because of its open, confessional nature, so much that you feel you’re inhabiting part of someone’s inner life. It is however the best song The Bangles never wrote, its insistent keyboard and guitar phrases pushing up the vocal lines beautifully.

The overall feel is reassuring, suggestive of more, suggestive of a closer relationship developing over time between music and listener. Now what was that line of Joan Armatrading’s – “I’m not in love, but I’m open to . . .?

An impressive opening shot.

• Oliver P. Sweeney