dot allison used to be the singer for the dubbed up pop band, one dove. i loved everything they released.
dot allison then released 2 solo albums (afterglow, and we are science) involving production from a whole bunch of well connected electronic/dance/rock collectives such as death in vegas, two lone swordsmen and of course, massive attack.
both albums were great, and pre-empted the current love of all things dirty and electronic.
now several years later now that the girls are leading the electronic pop pack and having hung out with the leader of grubby fingernail chic, pete doherty (who appears on i wanna break your heart which he co-wrote with dot), she has made a new album, room 7 and a half.
this time with a proper backing band who comprise of the following folks :
rob ellis, mick harvey, james johnston and terry edwards.
so as you can see, she clearly has used her contact book to its full advantage.
problem is, i don’t particularly enjoy the results.
as much as her vocals are as sweet, sultry, and slightly unnerving as ever, the musical backing is too acoustic, too serious, and generally a little dull.
i preferred the fucked up electronics, the moody atmospherics, instead here is all plucked acoustic guitars, pianos, and mournful emotions.
of course, there are times that you can’t help but be impressed with the scope of experience on offer, and the cinematic strings on fall to me are rather special, however, any temporary magic is soon shattered by the earnestness of paul weller ram raiding the following track, loves got me crazy.
clearly dot allison has moved into a new world, and no longer likes music made on machines.
however, with the supporting cast like this, she will hopefully get her long overdue rewards, and quite possibly some love from radio 2.
yes it really is that type of album.
more detail : here