Tasmin Archer

bloom

Another great Tasmin Archer album? Absolutely! Bloom is a dynamite work — a series of tightly woven studies, beautifully bittersweet. Reminiscences and duplicitous lyricism abound, with an intimacy lacking in most pop music. "I never meant to be overheard, I thought it out too loud," Tasmin sings.

Bloom [emi, 1996, 11, 40:29] marks a musical departure for Tasmin. She says, "I would hate to think I was just repeating previous things. We have to move on and experiment." John Hughes (not the movie director) co-writes. Together, they've arranged an exotic bunch of fragrant bouquets. Though often downbeat, the pieces are hauntingly beautiful. Even the slow songs are catchy. So many of today's ballads sound like they were composed by a Microsoft computer program. Not these.

It'sound tapestries differ from her earlier, more mainstream work, sort of like Nona Hendryx's SkinDiver compared to her "All Girl Band" period though, come to think of it, that's by Allen Toussaint. Not to suggest Tasmin sounds like anyone other than herself. No one can sing "you want it all, you creep and crawl, you take my friends and pretend they belong to you" as she can. Such lyrics deserve consideration; they might even apply to someone you know.

If you are Archer-deprived, she's got a strong voice that takes you by storm. (Apparently, everyone has heard "Sleeping Satellites." That's Tasmin!)

The introspective lyrics are universal in appeal. And hopeful. She'd "give anything to know that there'll be heaven after hell." "I Like It So" provides an interesting twist, if you pay attention.

Tasmin sings, "your stories thrill, but they all sound like a lie that I have lived." Hmmm.

Produced by Mitchell Froom of Crowded House (and the sophomore Sheryl Crow) fame. The recording is excellent, maintaining a coherent, original sound. The band are super, with some distinctive guitar and percussion work. The songs flow into each other and mostly have distinct endings, not fadeouts, making it more of a recital.

I'll go out on a limb here, or maybe a stem, and say Bloom is one of the ten best albums of the nineties.

Look for new music from Tasmin someday soon. Check her web site for current information.