**Introduction**

Thea Gilmore has been very active in the music industry with 8 albums released so far and she is only 28 years old. Something to think about when most artists have released only three or four albums by that age. Her eighth album entitled Liejacker is one of her best and has been critically acclaimed by the music press who consider her to be the greatest british songwriter of her generation.

You may have read my review of London's Bloomsbury Theatre where I saw Thea Gilmore in concert and met her in the foyer after the gig where she signed my copy of this album. I requested this album on dooyoo So without further ado here is my review of Thea Gilmore's eighth album Liejacker which was released at the end of May.

**Liejacker**

1. Old Soul

This is a nice duet with Dave McCabe of The Zutons, the track opens with a gentle guitar and then Thea's distinctive vocals come in with the beat of the drum coming in gently every few seconds. The addition of Dave McCabe works really well as he offers up an emotive clear vocal. A wonderful start.

2. Black Letter

This is a great track which has a darker feel to the opening track Old Soul. I love the Cello in this track which gives the track that unmistakeable character. This track moves along superbly well and Thea's voice sounds natural and expressive.

3. Dance in New York

This is a great track that has a very live intimate feel. Erin McKeown supplies beautiful harmonies on the track and this has a great laidback feel, the music combined with her vocals lets you slip into a state of wonder. A great track.

4. Rosie

This is another great track and is the first track on the album where you get the real feeling of the backing vocals from Thea's husband and longtime songwriting partner Nigel Stonier and the Cellist and guitarist known as Fluff.

5. Roll On

This track reminds me most of Thea's previous album Harpo's Ghost which I have also reviewed. It is a more uptempo track that most of this album and has a great feel. Thea's voice shows that it is capable of any type of music.

6. Icarus Wind

A beauty of a song. This is what you should play to someone who doesnt know her music and asks you what Thea Gilmore is like, A beautiful ballad exceptionally sung with passion, perfect tone and a biting emotive quality that is quite rare.

7. The Wrong Side

This is an interesting song which seems to fuse soul with folk to create a very good track with a very unique feel. This track shows her versatility and is one of the best songs she has done like this. A real treat for people new to Thea's music.

8. Slow Journey

This is a fantastic ballad which starts with a soft guitar and Thea's vocals come in and stop you dead in your tracks. She really has an amazing emotive quality to her voice which is a rare talent. This is a really beautiful song which shows off what her fans love about her music.

9. And You Shall Know No Other God but Me

This is another superb track, it opens with a haunting vocal from Thea and keeps that feel throught, a really interesting and unique track that draws you in through it's beauty, one of the best tracks she has ever done. Superb

10. When I Get Back to Shore

This is the catchiest track on the album and is a great track that calls out for audience participation. This uptempo folk track is well worth listening to and if you were lucky enough to get to one of her shows you will have seen the crowd participation where people were able to get up on stage with Thea to sing the chorus, How many singers would do that.? the answer not many.

11. Breathe

The album is brought back on a slower pace with Breathe, A lovely ballad with a gentle backing from the music and Thea's voice sounds emotive and so tuneful even in the more somber moments of the track. A big reason why this album is so good.

12. The Lower Road

This is another acoustic track which has a nice light cello in the background along with Thea's acoustic guitar. Her voice sounds so pure and emotive. she never strains herself when she is singing and has such an effortless voice. This track features Joan Baez joining Thea on vocals.

13. You Spin Me Right Round

And finally we come to the final track on the album and this is a great cover of a song that really got on my nerves. The original by Dead or Alive is terrible but this is a great cover. It really changes the feel from the original and makes it much more listenable. Thea shows off her creativity and versatility on the track.

**Overall**

Several music critics have written about how good Thea Gilmore is and I agree. She has an amazing voice which has the ability to do just about any genre and her writing ability is what makes her stand out from the competition. At only 28 she still has so many recording years ahead of her and given what she has acheived in a little over ten years it is amazing to think what her output could be.

Also posted on dooyoo under Lakerfanster