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Flesh and Blood is the 4th studio album from singer/songwriter Sandi Thom (and the 2nd to be released on her own label, Guardian Angels Records).
Opening with the Sonny Boy Williamson track Help Me, whilst it is a cover, Thom makes it her own by making some changes to how it is performed. From upbeat, we come down to the soft yet powerful I Owe You Zero. Flesh And Blood is Thom's way of bringing current issues that she feels strongly about to a wider audience but without really trying to force it down the listeners throat.
Sun Comes Crashing Down was the first track that that many heard from the album as it was given away as a freebie both via Thom's own website and Amazon. It's a nice little track that you'll feel that you've known for a while. In The Pines is one of these tracks that we don't whether to class as a cover or a case of sampling. Thom takes the track but has added verses, bridges and re-arranged it to make it her own. It's not one that jumps straight as you and is probably the one track on the album that will take time for it to grow.
Big Ones Get Away features the original artist, Buffy Sainte-Marie which is just beautiful after what seems an odd start when individual vocals are used but they blend perfectly as the track progresses. We have a little rock in the next track (Stormy Weather) where Thom says herself she was trying to channel her 'inner Stevie Wonder'. We think on some bits, she's managed it. I See The Devil In You is a slowish song that you can feel the emotion through.
After an emotional track, we have an almost acoustic-y track in the form of Rise As One. It's quickly followed up by the beautiful ballad I Love You Like A Lunatic, all about that love that drives you crazy. First wedding dance song anyone? Save Some Mercy For Me demands attention and that is what it gets whilst the final track Lay Your Burden Down brings the (standard) album to a close on a haunting note.
If you head over to iTunes, you can get 3 additional tracks in the form of an acoustic version of the title track Flesh And Blood, You're Not My Man and an acoustic cover of the Guns 'n' Roses track November Rain (one the popular tracks from Thom's acoustic covers sessions that she did before the album was released.
It's an album that has shown progression from Merchant and Thieves and gives an all round showcase of Thom's abilities. Everything's is well balanced in respect of vocals and instrumentation (and that comes down to a great producer) and yes, there are a few covers, but lets be honest, Thom has managed 4 albums before doing so. But the covers are respectful to the originals whilst she makes them her own. Hopefully Thom has now found who she is and will only continue to strengthen that
Rating: 4/5
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