All Maps Welcome is the third album from Tom McRae, after his self-titled album, Tom McRe, and then Just Like Blood. I first heard this album when I was given a free taster to it, which played about 30 seconds of each song; this then led me to buy the full album. I was already a fan, and was looking forward to seeing him when he toured last year. His dark lyrics and melancholy melodies really blew me away, and I wanted to hear more.
In this album, he uses assistance from members of Beck’s backing band. It took only three weeks to record, and the album itself deals with the break up of a long term relationship. His lyrics are just as deep as in other albums, but with hints of self-pity never seen before. I never really connected with this album as much as the previous ones, and I am still sceptical with some of the songs on Just Like Blood; thinking that nothing could achieve as much as The Boy With The Bubblegun and Dose Me Up (End of the World News) from his self-titled album, which really blew me away.
However, after seeing Tom live in a small venue in Edinburgh, I really did feel like I could connect with this album much better than before and could pick out songs that turned the album for me. I would say that if you liked artists such as Damien Rice or Stephen Fretwell, then Tom McRae should be added to your collection.
After reading other reviews from various sources of this album when first buying it, every review seems to explain their favourite songs as all being different. I was confused as to which ones I would like the best and which songs wouldn’t stand out for me as usually there are obvious songs which everyone likes above others. There were a few clear ones that stood out for me more than others on the album, such as Strangest Land and The Hummingbird Song.
For The Restless – I think this is definitely a good song to begin the album with, and reminds me of some songs from both previous albums. It has a good melody, which will leave people wanting more.
The Hummingbird song surprised me, when I first listened to it I didn’t appreciate it very much, however after a few listens it really grew on me, with some of the words really pulling me into the song.
The Girl Who Falls Downstairs – this is another song which has beautiful lyrics, and is really well written. I think that this would fall as another of my other favourite song, even though I don’t find it as catchy and uplifting.
My favourite song in this album is Strangest Land, which I liked the first time I heard this song; it is the only song that really seemed to jump out at me and, with its lyrics and melody seemed really thoughtful but uplifting at the same time in an odd sense.
I don’t think that this album is quite as good as his other two albums, and doesn’t entrance you quite as quickly, but it does have its appeal, and after a few listens it will grow on you. The price is average for any CD, however I would recommend it as it is another Tom McRae great for collections of people with all different tastes of music, and it should definitely be given its chance.
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All Maps Welcome is the third album from singer-songwriter Tom McRae, perhaps one of ... more
British musics best kept secrets. Despite the critical acclaim (including a Mercury Prize nomination for his debut album), he still struggles to get the profile of fel...
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All Maps Welcomeis the third album from singer-songwriter Tom McRae, perhaps one of ... more
British musics best kept secrets. Despite the critical acclaim (including a Mercury Prize nomination for his debut album), he still struggles to get the profile of fell...
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