Dawn Kinnard

The Courtesy Room

(Camera Obscura)

Record Review by Amber Henson

Once you hear Dawn Kinnard’s voice, you will never forget it.  She has been blessed with the ability to almost talk sing with these amazing vocal chords, but is also able to belt it when necessary.  It’s throaty, classic and Billie Holidayish, but so thoroughly modern, confidence-inspiring and beautiful.  Every time I hear it, I think she reminds me of someone, but after much thought, I’ve realized that she only reminds me of herself, in that way where someone is so original it seems like they’ve been around forever.

Kinnard’s album was produced by someone who knows what to do with spectacular female vocals, Martin Terefe, who has worked with the likes of Martha Wainwright and KT Tunstall.  The instruments, a combination of guitars, synths, pianos, and strings, are all very supportive of her and that voice I seem to be unable to get enough of.

After looking around a bit, I found that the land that currently hosts her presence, England, believes her to be country.  This made me freeze in my tracks.  According to my editor, if I like any more country music, then I can’t claim to hate it anymore.  So I will outright refuse the idea that this is country.  Stop it, United Kingdom!  Just ‘cause someone sings about their hometown and there is some guitar strumming here and there, it doesn’t make it country.  Plus, iTunes says it’s pop.  Thanks for backing me up, iTuneskies.

The must-have track on this album is “Clear the Way”, an unapologetic love song duet with Ed Harcourt.  Kinnard sounds like she’s whispering sweet nothings into the listener’s ear.  Harcourt and Kinnard sing together “When we meet, when we meet it’s like stars lose their grip.”  This song has created a bit of buzz on ‘teh internets’, and for good reason.  The track sounds like something we shouldn’t be allowed to listen in on for its personal-ness.

Kinnard’s already blowing up, so hop on the back of the inside scoop train, close your eyes, and let that voice speak directly to you.