Pros: Beth Orton has a rare talent: the ability to combine contrasting musical genres successfully.
Cons: Actually, I don't think there are any.
The Bottom Line: Trailer Park mixes a toned down electronica/ambient mood with mellow, quasi-folk tunes. Beth Orton also has the voice of an angel, if angels were lanky and extremely talented Brits.
This, my friends, is one of my absolute favorite albums. I have owned it for about two and a half years, and for the first year of said ownership, I listened to this at least five-ten times a week. At least. Usually I listened to it much, much more.
Thom Yorke of Radiohead claims to have the attention span of a knat on speed; I guess I have the attention span of a snail on downers. I have never been the least bit bored with playing Trailer Park on repeat for hours at a time while I go online, clean my junked out room, talk on the phone, drive, study, etc., etc. It's multi-purpose postmodern folk, if you will.
But enough of my unsubstantiated gushing, let's start the actual review. Ahem.
"She Cries Your Name"
I heard a 30 second snippet of this song on amazon.com, and I immediately knew I would love this CD.
Orton's voice is brilliant: clear, crisp, and perfect for this folk-based electronica-influenced opening track. Orton also masterfully plays her guitar. "She Cries Your Name" is one of my favorites on the CD, and the fatalistic outlook of this song draws me in.
Cut beneath the surface screen of what we say and what we
seem
Is a trick to be seen
She keeps crying out your name
But her scream sounds the same
How fickle fate can be
"Tangent"
Yet another mellow song with ambient qualities, Orton's voice complements the electronic background.
Building a map in order to find
What's not lost but left behind
My instinct got bruised
But I still see
I was a victim, I'll be no casualty
"Don't Need A Reason"
This is another song with Orton's beautiful guitar in the forefront, mixing gentle beats in the background. I love the lyrics, as they ring true with so many people:
We only hurt the ones we love
Why we don't need a reason
We only give what we think we deserve
An' that's something to believe in
"Live As You Dream"
Okay, I know this is trite, but "Live As You Dream" truly is reminiscent of Joni Mitchell (at least to me it is). The message, the lines, the composition . . . they all remind me of the talented sixties folkstress, which isn't a bad thing. Orton adds her own twist to folk, and that saves this song from being bland.
And if you've taken me for someone who cares
Then there's a dream I know we both have shared
If I talked to you after all's been done
I know we'll find home wherever we've gone
You're not the only one
"Sugar Boy"
"Sugar Boy" is a slow, melodic song which again focuses on Orton's guitar strumming. It has a very relaxing quality, especially due to its placement after the more upbeat "Live As You Dream."
Sugar boy, it's all over now
Sugar boy, it's all over now
Went to the doctor
Told me something was wrong
Listen, girl, you shouldn't feel so alone
"Touch Me With Your Love"
This track opens with an interesting ambient beat, and Orton is speaking rather than singing:
I dreamed of you last night
You had a different face
Or maybe just a haircut
You were older and wiser
Yet more like a child
I was amazed to still find you
There at the back of my mind
This dream was short
This dream was happy
This dream was short
This dream was happy
The electronic influence in this one is greater than in the others, especially the beats at the end mixed with Orton's cool "ooooh aaaah."
"Whenever"
"Whenever" is yet another Mitchell-esque tune complete with her guitar, singing "doot-doot"s, and of course, the lyrics.
Whenever I need a friend
It's you I come round to see again
You know that I'll always be near
You're flesh and blood and you're my memory
Live on in my memory
"How Far"
Another folk and guitar tune, this song is lively.
I could leave or I could stay
It doesn't make a bit of difference anymore anyway,
With each and every circumstance
I lose knowledge and gain innocence
"Someone's Daughter"
You have to hear this song for yourself. The way Orton sings it is redeeming somehow. Her voice is so lovely with the lyrics.
I'm someone's daughter
An' your somebody's son
Can I ease your pain 'til the morning comes
I'm no one's daughter
I belong to the sun
Gonna ease your pain 'til the morning comes
"I Wish I Never Saw Sunshine"
This is another slow song with Orton's voice lamenting a breakup. A mandolin adds a nice effect to this song, echoing Beth's voice.
Every day is just like the day before
All alone a million miles from shore
All of my dreams I dreamed with you
Now they will die and never come true
An' I keep crying, crying
"Galaxy of Emptiness"
This song epitomizes why Orton is different from the pack. It showcases her brilliant voice, the ambient sounds, and experimentation that Trailer Park embraces.
The stars light the sky
And a galaxy of emptiness tonight
Though I'm happiest when there's no reason for me to be
With no one's expectation to weigh heavy on my heart
---
If you enjoy folk, you will most likely enjoy this album, bottom-line. It integrates mellow and sometimes weeping strings, assorted toned down sounds, and Orton's crisp voice with airy and fresh influences of ambience and light electronica. Go on, give it a try.
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