Heather Lynn Horton is a singer, songwriter, fiddle player and one-half of folk rock band The Westies; the other half being her husband Michael McDermott.
This album ‘Don’t Mess With Mrs Murphy’ may not result in her name being better known as a solo artist. That is not to say it is a bad record. Far from it. There are several strong tunes on the release but in a market awash with female singer-songwriters, there is not enough here to set it above so many others.
Heather’s voice is pleasant rather than an instantly recognisable one. At times sounding a little like Kirstin Hersh from Throwing Muses or Liz Phair, I found some of the songs drifting along in the background. I confess to losing interest in some of the lyrics as some tracks blended into a “sameness”.
The seven minute ‘I Wanna Die In My Sleep’ seemed longer than seven minutes. And how can anyone cover a horrendous song like ‘You’re The One That I Want’ from ‘Grease’ and butcher it!?
The strongest songs, are front loaded on the record. ‘Murphy’s Law’ is a pleasant – that word again – debate about head and heart and how rational thought goes out the window when love stirs. ‘Did You Feel That’ is the one real uptempo song on the album, which benefits greatly from its inclusion.
The best song here, ‘Wheelchair Man’ ruminates on life through the eyes of a person with disabilities. The haunting video released to promote this song is powerful and deserves to be seen though.
Other outlets have given the album rave reviews suggesting it is reminiscent of the excitement which emanated from the grunge scene in Chicago in the 90s. I suppose that’s one of the joys of music. One man’s Beatles is another’s Boyzone.
As I suggested, this is not a bad album. Maybe it will grow on me more. I am just not convinced there’s enough here to make me want to listen again when Courtney Marie Andrews’ ‘Honest Life’ is there, waiting to be played.