Tom McRae – The Alphabet of Hurricanes

Releasedate: 22-02-2010; Label: V2
By: Nina Mende

Jeremy Thomas McRae Blackall known as Tom McRae (born 19 March 1969, Chelmsford, England) is a singer-songwriter. British singer-songwriter Tom McRae has been quietly moving up the ranks of the most respected songwriters in the world today after releasing four critically acclaimed studio albums over the last 9 years. His eponymous debut album in 2000 was nominated for a The Mercury Prize, a Q Magazine Award, and a Brit, and the subsequent two years of touring cemented his reputation as one the most entertaining and powerful artists touring today.

The first song on the album “The Alphabet of Hurricanes” begins with banjo playing. A soft voice leads you through it. “A Is For…” has an oriental beginning before the sounds also gets a cartoon sound that we all know from the old cartoons such as Tom & Jerry. The first couple songs on the album take you on a journey through music history, passing by western, country and real classics like waltz. Throughout the middle of the album it reminds more of James Blunt like music: soft, slow, touchy, and very emotional. Music that makes most women sight. “Out Of These Walls” is a very sad sounding song. On “The Alphabet of Hurricanes” you can hear all kinds of instruments being used: from banjo to piano, even a harp I think I have heard, glockenspiel, tambourine and so on. Even though the music is very slow it doesn’t get boring. “Me And Stetson” is a little bit faster and catchier. A nice album with different styles combined.

Tracklist: 01. Still Love You 02. A Is For… 03. Won’t Lie 04. Summer Of John Wayne 05. Told My Troubles To The River 06. American Spirit 07. Please 08. Out Of The Walls 09. Me And Stetson 10. Can’t Find You 11. Best Winter 12. Fifteen Miles Downriver

Links:
Tom McRae MySpace
Tom McRae Official