Sean Anderson - 10/31/2010

Some gem Decca have picked up here! She has already been compared to legends such as Carol King and Norah Jones, but Kirsy Almeida is truly unique so much so that her genre in at least one HMV store was 'unclassified'.

From the laidback short introduction 'Gather Round', you are lurched into the domineering 'If You Can't Make Me Happy', with its irresistably catchy beat. The next track 'Spider' is an equally catchy song with lots of imagination and atmosphere, and sing-along 'na-na-na-na-na's of course!

It is especially with songs such as the mysterious 'Scares Me' (an impressively held note at the end of this one!) that Kirsty's vocal talent really begins to shine. She has a silky smooth voice, which is innocently withdrawn in higher pitches and sexily sharp in lower ones. Watch out for the tracks 'Cool Down Rewind' and 'Late at Night' with a sound so melodic that you could hear it all day - also recommended for late-night listening before bedtime!

Not to be overlooked on 'Pure Blue Green' are the delightful instruments. A mixture of sounds like this, that come together so naturally and sweetly, is rarely heard elsewhere. In 'Willow' it is certainly ethereal. The track 'Shine All Your Light' is bound to be a favourite of many and a very apt summer barbecue track and 'Couldn't You Just', which follows it, is extremely lively, demonstrating Kirsty's ability to inflict different kinds of moods and emotions upon the listener. Lyrically, a favourite of mine is 'Butterflies', with its almost agonising sentiment portrayed wonderfully by Kirsty's voice so effective that it could be compared to acting.

To conclude, buy this album and be sure to experience Kirsty live if you get the chance - Miss Almeida's on-stage presence is immense is immense and the eccentricity reflected in this album fills the room. She wears some brilliantly made dresses and, curiously, aviator goggles (wait till she gets out her megaphone!) and her band look like they're off in some other world . Actually, you feel as if you're in another world when you listen to Kirsty and her band. 'Pure Blue Green', a captivating mélange of folk and pop, is a joy to hear and gets better every time.