Album Review

Leo Abrahams – Zero Sum

• 26th Feb 2013

Leo Abrahams has quite a resume as a session guitarist, having played with the likes of Paul Simon, Marianne Faithfull and Brian Eno and recently toured with, er, Pulp. Ok, let’s not hold that last one against him. Abrahams has also produced many albums, composed film scores and played on a host of movie soundtracks. And he has released several solo albums of largely ambient guitar based music. Pretty impressive for someone only in his mid thirties.

The Zero Sum mini album has six tracks of folk style guitar and strings songs that are unassumingly gentle and shimmer with talent. The multi layered textures Abrahams creates, both using a variety of instruments and with vocal harmonies, are lush and in places beautiful. As well as guitar, there are contributions from piano, cello and zither on the album.

That’s What You Do opens with smooth vocals over soft guitar chords. The tempo remains steady yet the instrumentation seems to rise and fall creating a varied effect. Winter Kiss mixes occasional soft percussion with lovely harmonies and a soft drone to create a folky air. It feels like a love song, a soft lament for a strong desire that might not be fulfilled. The fine No More Unto Silence has a curious shuffling percussion sound behind some lovely guitar work and high vocals that soar in fine style.

Sleep Here tells of lost love in gentle fashion, with piano and cello creating an atmospheric backing to the passionate vocal delivery. A Different Kind Of Wrong has a simple structure but sounds a little cluttered in places, a few too many effects obscuring some of the vocals. The closing Time Take Me Back is slow and restrained, the vocals floating over a delicate arrangement. The lyrics are reflective and thoughtful, as they are in much of this collection.

Zero Sum isn’t an album that is going to reach out and grab you. Rather it is one with a fragile and beguiling quality that draws you in. Turn down the lights and enjoy it.

Venue: Zero Sum
Support Band: Palomino