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Marionet Music [Release date 04.11.13]
After the excellent Girl On An Unmade Bed (2010), Lisbee Stainton’s last album Go (2011) fell a little short of expectations (with the exception of the wonderful single Wrench).
Retreating to Monnow Valley Studios in Monmouth, South Wales with producer Mikko Gordon (Lana Del Ray, Chris Difford) to record the next chapter of her recording career, you get the impression Lisbee Stainton is still trying to find her niche.
Having become a fixture in Seth Lakeman’s band - contributing vocals, banjo, harmonium, guitar and harmonica – Lakeman returns the favour on Word Games contributing two co-writes (Madron’s Journey, and the plaintive The Journey) as well as vocals, viola and bouzouki throughout.
GRTR! favourite Eleanor McEvoy also guests on violin and the co-written Make Me Stay (on the typical McEvoy subject of seduction), and tour guitarist Simon Johnson co-wrote the catchy opening number and lead single Red Dog Running. Somewhat ironically, McEvoy opens for the Stainton on a nine date UK tour in November.
Whether it’s the influence of more established artists, it’s hard to say, but certainly, Word Games, seems to have brought a new maturity to Lisbee Stainton’s work and a return to the form of Girl On An Unmade Bed.
While far from being a folk album, Stainton’s brand of acoustic, adult orientated pop takes several steps in that direction and in that sense, the album is an unqualified success – light, breezy, and easy on the ear with a rediscovered depth – the wistful The Poppy, being a prime example.
You get the sense that Lisbee Stainton has perhaps come of age with this album, although it’s still difficult to see where major sales are going to come from. But that’s more of a reflection on the state of the music business in the digital era. ***1/2
Review by Pete Whalley
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