Beth Orton
Central Reservation

 

   Beth Orton has one of the sweetest, warmest voices I've ever heard. Her lyrics could all be terrible Jewel-like dreck and I'd still listen. Her musical arrangements could be as overwrought as Dave Matthews, and I'd buy it anyway. In person, she could be as arrogant and full of herself as Fiona Apple, but her music would still be near the top of my list. But since her lyrics are thoughtful and unassuming, since her music perfectly compliments the vocals, and since she seems to be decidedly down-to-earth in interviews, there's no need to worry about that. Almost every song on this album is incredible, except "Sweetest Decline"--and its only fault is its 6 minute length. Everyone should have this.

    Track listing:
  1. Stolen Car
  2. Sweetest Decline
  3. Couldn't Cause Me Harm
  4. So Much More
  5. Pass In Time
  6. Central Reservation
  7. Stars All Seem To Weep
  8. Love Like Laughter
  9. Blood Red River
  10. Devil Song
  11. Feel To Believe
  12. Central Reservation (Ben Watt mix)