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Charlotte Martin
Orphans
Review By Nicole Roberge
While writing her fourth full-length album (not due until 2009), singer-songwriter Charlotte Martin found a collection of songs she still hadn’t released and decided to issue them on this EP, Orphans, a collection of eight songs that span Martin’s 10-year career. The material ranges from the “oldie but goodie” “Raven” to the fun fan-favorite “The Stalker Song to Galaxies,” a song written about her pregnancy. “Is This Called Desire” and “Outerspace,” both layered with various instrumentation, electronic beats and lush vocals, had been planned for Exceptional Birds of Flight, a project still not completed. “Snowflakes” was intended for the full-length On Your Shore and then the EP Veins, but is now happily on Orphans.
“Habit” is a terrific song that opens quietly and then swells with expansive vocals. “The Stalker Song” has a cabaret sound, which makes it even more fun and enjoyable as she sings, “I’m normal, please date me.” From the quirky “Raven” to the gorgeous “Many Rivers,” these songs range from funny to eccentric to sweet, in both the lyrics and music, denoting a true example of a singer and songwriter. These orphaned songs are no longer orphans. You can not only hear the progression in Martin’s music but also the risks that she’s taken. From songs with swelling piano arrangements to electronic beats and Charlotte’s soaring vocals, you’re in for a real treat.
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