Liverpool Sound and Vision * * * *
To constantly evolve and move forward is a must. When an artist stagnates and starts to drift, not just away from their core audience, but also in respects of becoming machine like, delving towards the beige, then the spark begins to fade, the initial burst of excitement that was first felt can dribble away like flat lemonade down a drain. This thankfully is not the case for Liverpool born Gem Andrews as she releases her second album Vancouver, beige is not to be seen, the well oiled lyrical value of one associated with the city of Liverpool is of great quality, the songs run smoothly with bristling agitation and the urge to be seen fully; beige is not an option.
Produced by The Daintees’ Martin Stephenson, the now Berlin based Ms. Andrews takes listeners on a journey of discovery, the map, the guide and the plan is all of Ms. Andrews own making and the desire to follow with complete trust in her well marked footsteps, to be led with abandon, is to give yourself over to one human being for a short while.
The journey is all, whether it is placed within a natural order of staying rooted in the familiar of one place but allowing growth and change to happen around you, or and perhaps more excitingly, one that takes you from place to place, the scenic route and the trail of anguish; all is a journey of self discovery and meaning. Vancouver is that mental crossing for Gem Andrews, the buoyancy, the assurance of performance is startling and the emotion comes washing over the listener like a tidal river, not meandering downstream to meet a lazy sea, but rampaging, gushing with torrent after torrent into a wild and storm filled ocean.
With tracks such as Your Father’s Diary, Heart Like A Wheel, Crimson Tide and the album title track Vancouver all conspiring with innocent regard for the listener’s appreciation, Vancouver is a shining example of what it means to appreciate the journey. It does not have to be bristling with permanent sunshine, the hospitality doesn’t always require the benefit of being cordial, what it should be is honest and fulfilling. Vancouver is just that, a peek into the world of situations that frame what it is to be alive.
Vancouver by Gem Andrews is available to purchase from the label Market Square and is released on May 25th. 2015.
Ian D. Hall