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This is the fifth record from this Seattle-based singer/songwriter, and the first since 2004’s ‘Carbon Glacier’. Veirs sits somewhere on the outer edges of the current American singer/songwriter scene centred on figures like Sufjan Stevens and Devendra Banhart. By the standards of this album, it’s not a bad comparison to make. Opener ‘Fire Snakes’ resembles a down to earth Joni Mitchell. Both the single ‘Galaxies’ and album highlight ‘Secret Someones’, take on the flavour of a female Eels. Like Eels frontman E, Veirs writes sensitively intelligent songs that combine a folk and country tone with the backing of a more indie-rock sound. On the other side of the spectrum, ‘Magnetized’ recalls the considered yet intense use of instrumentation and language last heard on Joanna Newsom’s ‘The Milk-Eyed Mender’. Meanwhile ‘Parisian Dream’ and ‘Rialto’ specifically reflect the alternative country scene, particularly this year’s record from Ryan Adams & The Cardinals. You may have presumed from the number of comparisons I’m making that this isn’t a strikingly original record. Although the influences are obvious, it doesn’t at all affect the quality of this album. Veirs power lies in the confessional tone of the songs and in the sheer quality of melody and song writing.

Overall ‘Year Of Meteors’ presents us with the sort of melancholy, melodic fare that used to be written by the sadly lost Elliott Smith, and so if you’re anything like me this could likely be one of the records to see you through the winter to come. The album is out now and so, when you see that new Katie Melua album, do yourself a BIG favour and buy this instead. Consider it a moral duty.

9/10

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