The Leader

Issue date: 10/2/02 Section: A&E>>Music

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Sarah McLaughlin never sounded so good - wait a minute, I mean Beth Orton. On her most recent album daybreaker, Orton carries similarities with McLaughlin's vocal styles that may at first confuse the listener. However, the likeness comes as a pleasant surprise because Orton's own distinct musical style shines and supports the album throughout, lending its own "voice" to the recording.

Orton's laid-back, walk-in-the-park approach to music calms the soul without putting it to sleep. Her style can be repetitive, but it comes across more as a natural rhythm. You almost get the feeling of hearing ocean waves reaching a sandy shore or the rocking sensation felt on a boat - similar to the one in the picture on the album's cover. There are nice backbeats as well that pick up the tempo and mood, like in "Anywhere" and "Paris Train."

Orton's songs are also accompanied mostly by a nice combination/alternation of acoustic guitar, keyboard/piano, and soft drums that makes one dream of lazy summer days spent sitting on the front porch letting time pass. The acoustic guitar accompaniment by Ryan Adams in "This One's Gonna Bruise" is an especially sweet listen. As for Orton herself, she sings with an earthy quality that doesn't lecture or croon, but reflects on reality in a very mellow and thoughtful manner.

What's more, her lyrics are intricate and thought provoking. Her creative spirit shines through on some of the songs, especially the album's title track "Daybreaker." Here she sings "we, we burn our boats each new year/silently watching the flames and the old life disappear/we're burning new sunrise into yesterday's skies/an ashen fingerprint melts into the sea." Additionally, the previous track "Anywhere" begins with an almost childlike rule of "paint what you know not what you see/hope blinds reason thankfully/know how it is when something fits/then there's just a question of being it."

Another song with very interesting lyrics is "Mount Washington", which plays with the idea of skies and stars and altars - after a good listen you can see how nature influences the entire quality of this album.

In such a rushed and crazy world, Beth Orton provides some serious relief. It's good to know there's still artists out there with the attitude of having all the time in the world. Although she might not be able to get McLaughlin completely out of your head when you hear daybreaker, she holds her own well and should not be compared to Sarah, but rather companioned with her.

(7 out of 8)

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