Debut from Deep Purple bassist's daughter.
After a press release that spends most of its time boasting about Gillian Glover's contacts (such as being the daughter of Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover), and little time attempting to define her music, there are little or no expectations about 'Red Handed'.
'Clear Why Fight' is fairly straightforward, with piano and acoustic guitar used in an attempt at an emotive opening. Whilst in no means particularly bad it lacks bite and read credibility, meaning it falls into the mediocre category. 'Serpentine' is a more 'rock' song, which seems to suit Gillian's voice more closely but rhyming lyrics and guitar solos give the song a clichéd, near embarrassing effect. So far this album seems to be throwing the musical gauntlet at itself and desperately trying to see what sticks.
'Red Shoes' is an improvement as at least the sentiments are beginning to sound genuine, and the lyrics about a manipulative girl, whilst not wonderfully original at least ring a small bell of truth for the listener. Unfortunately things slip downward again with the unmemorable 'Made You Look' and the outright bad blues-folk of 'Holy Communion'. 'Singing You to Sleep' works in the same way as 'Red Shoes' thanks to its storytelling quality and simplicity. Glover's voice is most suited to the piano-led songs and it is here her song writing seems at its most mature and expressive.
'Hot Knives' is another meandering blues number and sounds far too similar to something you might hear in a generic blues club. Although Glover's voice performs adequately in this genre it just sounds far too formulaic to impress and on this type of track the lyrics are at their most poor. 'Forecast for Rain' is one of the album's few really impressive moments, with a song almost in the same bracket as the magnanimous Fiona Apple. Whilst not as impressive as Ms Apple the song has the same determination and soul behind it and serves to illustrate Gillian Glover's potential.
'Pipe Down Virginia' continues the simple piano sound and as a result is another decent song. Glover's voice is strong and infused with passion and despite the rather overblown and unnecessary guitars it works rather well. 'Go' is a personal sounding song musing on the end of a relationship, and although the lyrics when read separately seem overly simplistic, the soaring voice and emotive piano ensure it works well. Album closer 'My Broken Skin' stays with the regretful tone of the previous songs and discusses people who are 'broken' turning to each other for comfort.
This album would fare far better in my estimations were it not for its ropey start and the lack of conviction felt on the blues numbers. As it is then a good album becomes an okay one with good moments. There are songs worthy of merit here but you need to wade past some perfunctory stuff to reach them.