Album Review

Aoife O’Donovan – Fossils

• 5th Aug 2013

Fossils is a superb debut solo album from American folk singer Aoife O’Donovan. Recorded in Portland, Oregon, and New York City with celebrated producer Tucker Martine (My Morning Jacket, The Decemberists) and released through Yep Roc Records in the US in June to some fine reviews, it comes out here on 5 August.

As lead singer for the progressive bluegrass/ string band, Crooked Still and a member of the female folk-noir trio, Sometymes Why, O’Donovan is a well known name in American folk circles. She had always intended to make a solo album, and has finally achieved the ambition with Fossils.

Aoife O’Donovan is a quite beautiful singer and provides a vocal masterclass on the album. Her voice displays both tender beauty and power, giving her a great range of performance. And with influences from both American and Irish folk as well as bluegrass and roots music, O’Donovan is also a fine songwriter, creating characters and matching them to some lovely melodies in these ten original songs.

The album opens with the lovely Lay My Burden Down, which will perhaps be familiar from Alison Krauss’ cover version. It says much for O’Donovan that Krauss picked the song to record and even more that her own tender rendition matches up well to it. The second track, the haunting Briar Rose, is based on an Anne Sexton poem, reimagining Snow White as the story of a sexual abuse survivor. Horns then feature prominently on the emotional Thursdays’ Child, which has a folk rock feel.

The album’s lead single and stand out track Red & White & Blue & Gold is simply stunning, a sparkling country-pop love song, and the emotional vocals soar with a sultry beauty. It also features some wonderful pedal steel guitar from Charlie Rose, who makes a significant contribution to several tracks on the album. Beekeeper immediately changes direction, a folk song that builds into rock territory and ends with a fine guitar solo.

The slightly harder tone continues with the country-rock of Fire Engine, fast paced and jaunty, before Pearls with its laid back summer country feel sees O’Donovan in reflective mood. Glowing Heart has a violin lay down a mournful air, which is matched by beguiling soft vocals and an atmospheric production. I’m Alone is superficially light with faster vocal delivery and banjo, but there is a contrasting dark undertone and an ominous drum beat runs through the track.

O Mama provides a closing high point, a big warm feeling folk song with gospel tinged backing. The vocals occasionally soar in emotive fashion as O’Donovan displays her power as well as her ability to convey strong emotion. It is a stylish track that ends the album superbly.

Several of the tracks on Fossils are closer to alt-country tinged rock than traditional folk music, but the sheer breadth of the musical backing used showcases Aoife O’Donovan’s wonderful voice perfectly. She is a real talent with a vocal style that can be soft and breathy but also big and powerful. A UK tour is planned for later this year, and the opportunity to hear these songs live should not be missed.

Venue: Fossils
Support Band: Yep Roc Records