RUMER, This Girl’s in Love (A Bacharach & David Songbook) (East West): 3 STARS Listening to outtakes and alternate mixes on this two-disc anniversary set, it’s illuminating to hear how Welch’s vocal style shifted as various melodies and rhythmic emphases evolved. Songs like “Orphan Girl” and “Tear This Stillhouse Down” have since become Americana staples. It seemed an anomaly, an Appalachian blast from the past composed by a pair of Berklee grads: the LA-raised Welch and partner David Rawlings, whose refined guitar mastery shapes and deepens their sound. Welch was a festival favorite already championed by song miners like Emmylou Harris when “Revival” emerged to impressed reviews in 1996. 1 The Official Revival Bootleg (Acony): 4 STARS Highlights: “Breathing Underwater,” “Sweet Architect,” “Give Me Something.” More such moments - and more rhythmic variation - would make it easier to connect with the human need expressed.
A swelling chorus and big production helped make “Hurt” a hit, but “Give Me Something’”s simplicity’s more effective acoustic guitar and piano leave ample room for Sandé’s poignant plea (“Give me something that I can believe in”) to reverberate. Opening track “Selah” declares, “My love is the bomb and forgiveness is the rocket” backed by a shimmery gospel choir that embellishes most of these 15 tracks. Post-divorce, the soul-pop chart-topper strives for cathartic release and spiritual comfort. EMELI SANDÉ, Long Live the Angels (Capitol): 3 STARS
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