Tracey Thorn - Solo

Rating: 5/5

Review: 
An excellent compilation

This is an excellent compilation of some of Tracey Thorn's best work as a solo artist or in collaboration with other artists and bands – notably Massive Attack.  The set is arranged in two halves stylistically rather than chronologically, which I think is an excellent idea; the first disc is her more acoustic, singer-songwriter work and the second her more electronic, dance-orientated material.

For me, it is the first disc which really shines with originality and excellence.  The more dancy material is very good of its type, but I think Thorn's real talent for creating fine, intelligent listenable songs is in her more solo work.  There are some genuinely great songs here, from the brilliantly told story told in the masterpiece which is Singles Bar, through the wise and penetrating study of a mother-daughter relationship in Hormones to Follow Me Down (from the outstanding 2015 Songs From The Falling EP) which is almost entirely haunting and beautiful atmosphere.  It all shows what a very, very fine talent Tracey Thorn is, both as songwriter and performer, and it's an excellent collection.

Plenty of people may well prefer her electronic/dance music, and fair enough.  This is an eclectic collection which reflects Thorn's wide musical taste and talent and we will all have our favourites.  As an album it's quality from start to finish and I can recommend it very warmly indeed.