Motherland

The capacity to be instantly recognisable is a key factor in any artist’s success. Natalie Merchant’s voice – a strikingly soulful and evocative instrument – stamps a unique signature over all twelve tracks on her third solo studio album, Motherland.

It’s easy to be swept away by Merchant’s dulcet tones, but listen closer to the lyrics and dark, richly suggestive worlds unfold. There are young girls who tell themselves that they’ll "never be like the anorexic beauties in the magazines" and a mother who warns of the devil who’ll "take you where the rivers rise so high and run so deep".

Although the production and execution of the songs is never less than masterful, some tracks suffer from a lack of melodic dynamism. While violins lend a dramatic, sombre quality to opener ‘This House Is On Fire’ and banjo adds gorgeous flourishes to ‘Saint Judas’, tunes such as ‘The Worst Thing’ and the title track sparkle only thanks to the quality of Merchant’s voice and lyrics.