Rita
Lynch
Rita now has her own web site, please visit her at www.ritalynch.co.uk
and feel free to email her.
Riding on the wave of much critical acclaim due to a
healthy back catalogue of material and recent bout of
successful solo performances, Rita Lynch is again at
the forefront of Bristol's music scene with All Dressed
Up.
With open wounds and a sound that recalls PJ Harvey's
earlier works where vocals fall between intense rage
and soothing beauty (Far Away) yet still bordering on
a raw, jagged edge (I'll Never Let You Go) complimented
by the frenetic and, when called upon, restrained musicianship
of her band, Rita's latest, and best album-to-date definitely
lives up to her live billing.
All Dressed Up builds with a brooding intensity before
launching into a full-on shuffling drum beat and forceful
guitars that propel this opener to a climatic finish
with brakes just about bringing things to a halt and
Rita in vociferous mood: "All dressed up I got no where
to go, all dressed up I got no where to go."
Without a moment's hesitation the blistering tempo continues
through O God Above, the speeding frenzy of Cry at Night,
and the honest revelations of Jesus Converts bringing
to mind the live wire energy of recent press darlings
At The Drive-In.
Elsewhere, the lyrical content is particularly scathing
as former
lovers are reminded of the scars they have left: "I
just serve, serve, serve, serve. Go lose your dignity
to some little girl...Keep a hold of all your grudges
let them see you through your life cos my man makes
love a disease."
However, it is the arresting nature of the vocal that
captures the imagination as Rita Lynch soars between
moments of loss and despair (Over You) yet still managing
to assert a sense of authority as her vocal intoxicates
every inch of this album. The haunting finale of Beautiful
Eyes is a prime example with its subtle undercurrent
of bitter resentment being a parting shot.
With Japan and America taking an (un)healthy interest
in the recent career trajectory of Rita Lynch, it is
only a matter of time before this Bristol stalwart gains
the sort of recognition All Dressed Up deserves.
All Dressed Up
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