Natalie Merchant - Leave Your Sleep
Nonesuch
Available now in stores and online
In the mp3/iTunes age, it's rare for an artist to focus effort into creating a cohesive vision in the form of a full-length album. Natalie Merchant's 'Leave Your Sleep' (her first album in 7 years) is clearly a heartfelt, painstakingly researched endeavor, in which the talented singer songwriter sets music to 19th and 20th century poetry on the theme of children and childhood.
The music, as fans of the former 10,000 Maniacs frontwoman will expect, is delicate, nuanced and varied both in mood and instrumentation; carefully complimenting the words of her spiritual collaborators. Natalie's voice is as powerful and engaging as ever. Though it is some 32 songs in length (in it's full, deluxe form), 'Leave Your Sleep' rarely fails to delight, inspire or affect as it runs the emotional gamut from the whimsical menace of 'The Sleepy Giant' to Gerard Hopkins' heartrending 'Spring and Fall: To A Young Child'.
Insightful and thought-provoking biographies, penned by Merchant, of the poets are included in the extensive 70+ page booklet (also included in the iTunes deluxe version), and while the album is appreciable for it's own sonic merits, they make for fascinating and worthwhile reading.
A project of depth, innocence, wisdom and beauty, 'Leave Your Sleep' is the crowning achievement of Natalie Merchant's career so far, and an absolutely unmissable journey.
- Michael
Visit www.nataliemerchant.com for videos, tour dates and further info.
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