CD Reviews

Nina Violet | We'll Be Alright

Self-released (2011)

By JEREMY ADAMS | October 12, 2011

2.5 Stars

As a solo artist, Martha's Vineyard native Nina Violet has been holding back. Once a member of Willy Mason's band, touring the US and UK with the likes of Radiohead and Beth Orton, she later released two solo LPs of Brit-tinged chamber-folk. But as a classically trained violist and string arranger, Violet seemed to long for a hybrid of band and orchestra, and We'll Be Alright gives her that opportunity. It's an experiment with mixed results: on one hand, "Stealing Flowers" achieves a rare pop elegance by combining vocals, guitar, cello, and autoharp. On the other, thornier songs such as "Play Loud" and "Fill the Well Up" require more work of the listener. Violet returns to her accessible, folk-rock persona on two cuts — live staple "Everything Comes Apart" and album closer "Run to the Stream" — and both offer direct, Elliott Smith–like connection, the latter deploying a whistle-happy chorus. These tracks serve as a reminder that Violet doesn't need to try so hard to augment or complicate her singer/songwriter style; her natural talents are sufficient.

NINA VIOLET + WILLY MASON + TALLAHASSEE | Radio, 379 Somerville Ave, Somerville | October 16 @ 9 pm | 21+ | $5

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ARTICLES BY JEREMY ADAMS

NINA VIOLET | WE'LL BE ALRIGHT | October 12, 2011
As a solo artist, Martha's Vineyard native Nina Violet has been holding back.

CULTS | CULTS | June 07, 2011
Don't let the ominous band name or Brooklyn-hipster über cool of boy-girl duo Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion fool you. Beneath the surface, they're just a couple of crazy kids in love — with each other and with the saccharine sounds of the Brill Building '60s.

BETH DITTO | BETH DITTO EP | February 01, 2011
Remember when Mary Beth "Ditto" Patterson was just a blues singer? The Arkansas-born belter used to wail punk blues for the Gossip - the trio who made her a star - like the second coming of Janis Joplin.

REVIEW: ROSE ELINOR DOUGALL | WITHOUT WHY | August 31, 2010
Formerly known only as "Rosay" in British retro-pop girl group the Pipettes, Rose Elinor Dougall left the band in 2008 and released a series of singles.