Beth Orton — Comfort Of Strangers

If you got into Orton because of her interesting blend of acoustic folk and dance beats, then look elsewhere. The 14 songs on Comfort Of Strangers are all fairly straightforward, understated pieces of pop songwriting. Not that there's anything wrong with that. With her sharp eye for detail and ability to hit emotional nails on the head, Orton doesn't need many tricks to make these songs work, and her supple and unmannered vocals are a treat throughout. Still, the simple acoustic arrangements and rather low-fi soundscapes make this album sound more like a collection of demos than a fully realized record.

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