Lou Rhodes // One Good Thing

Lamb’s classic track ‘Gorecki’ is one of those songs that used to wrench my heart out and tread on it a bit in a steel toe capped boot. For some reason, I enjoyed this feeling…it is for me the sign of a good song. Lou Rhodes, ex singer of 90’s combo Lamb, is releasing her third solo album (her first was nominated for a Mercury Prize) , and part of me is, in a sick way, hoping for a bit more boot punishment action with this release. Sure, she’s way more folky than the more trip hop Lamb, with definite Nick Drake and maybe even Charlotte Gainsbourg traits, but with that comes her stunning voice, the accompanying tambourine, strings and acoustic guitars and the simple yet effective lyrics on a collection of 11 songs, including ‘Janey’, about her sister whose sudden death in 2007 cancelled Lou’s tour. Lou admits to being an introverted character and finds it difficult to transmit her emotions apart from through her delicate and yet strong songs. This album heralds the birth of Cinematic Orchestra’s new label Motion Audio, through Ninja Tune, and was recorded over an intense 2 week period. with Andy Barlow, Lou’s partner from Lamb. It seems a natural move to go from the more energetic music of her youth to this, more mature and gentle sound as she now settles into her adult life. For me, it is a refeshing and peaceful album that may not grab me quite as hard as Lamb and isn’t quite as sexy but will be there when I need it.