Heavenly Schallplatten & CDs

Review: It's not often you can legitimately call a record brave. Most of the time, when we use that word it's to describe wildly experimental sonics, cutting edge arrangements and never-heard-before noises. Anna Burch doesn't quite fit those descriptions, not that her unarguably 90s-influenced, Gen X survivalist rock tones don't impress. Nevertheless, she's taking the biggest risk of all on 'If You're Dreaming'; turning to face herself head on, and analyse what she sees. There's catchiness, and a stoner-ish, downtrodden or at least lackadaisical air to the way in which she approaches guitar scuzz and this immediately jumps out and grabs the ears. However, that slightly retro leaning approach to arrangements is contrasted by a very 21st Century take on life's great lessons, losses and triumphs - guiding themes behind much of the songwriting.