As I sit in my room shivering a little from the rain and general darkness outside, probably listening to the bleak but evocative world that Fran Rodgers’ folk creates may not be the best idea for my overall mood. Half French, half English she sings about love, loss and hope. Everyone’s favourite fun topics, but it is not just this, the mood of the songs in which she performs bristles with a coldness.

Musically she puts a lot of other acoustic performers in her gloomy shadow; there is almost a timely quality to her music. It sounds just as at home here today, as it would have done in the court of many an English king. ‘She Dwelt Among Th’untrodden Ways’ includes an organ for a bit of extra scope in the track, and sounds more upbeat than the other two, but lyrically it is just as forlorn.

Undoubtedly talented Rodgers finishing touch is her hauntingly beautiful voice. Angel is a tag which gets thrown about a little too easily these days (Charlotte Church anyone?) but Fran Rodgers voice fits perfectly to the world in which she creates, I’m happy to settle with her as a modern day Joni Mitchell.

7/10

Matthew Stanley

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