Central Reservation

Product description

Beth Orton ~ Central Reservation

Amazon.com

Is Beth Orton the folkie ? Or is Beck an Orton with beats? Since both graze from genre to genre like goats feasting on whatever strikes their fancy, drawing parallels is tempting…and perhaps pointless. After all, both artists were born in 1970 and emerged at a time when musical categorization became an exercise in futility. English thrush Orton’s third album–like her critically hailed
debut and the
Best Bit EP–prompts one to flash on an ever-swelling range of influences. Since she’s blessed with the rich, warm voice of a true pop singer, it’s easy to imagine her sharing space on some out-of-time radio playlist with (listen to the elegant, string-laden “Sweetest Decline”), except Orton’s music draws on ’90s trip-hop elements as well the jazzy folk of and vet (reprising his
Best Bit cameo). Orchestration, upright bass, vibes, and Orton’s own resolute guitar give long, languid tracks such as “So Much More” and “Pass in Time” an
Astral Weeks-like feel. All those touchstones and no fewer than six producers might imply that
Central Reservation is something of a mishmash. In truth, Orton’s overriding vision is all that’s needed to create cohesion.
–Steven Stolder

Review

[Beth Orton] coaxes smiles by focusing on life’s more painful moments…. Her midtempo music is also filled with catchy dance beats, gorgeous folk guitars and haunting string sections. —
People