Delta- The Life & Times of Jim Vallie & Sweet Rosalyn
Birmingham duo Delta are out there promoting their debut UK release "The Life and Times of Jim Vallie & Sweet Rosalyn", released on the 30th July, earlier this year. I found myself having to spend at least twenty minutes scouring the internet to find out any information for this band, which automatically hinted at a tough order for these guys.
The album title is easily forgotten and you could be forgiven within a flash for mistaking the Midlands duo for a West Country couple. I struggled really to know how to review this CD as I couldn't get into it. The pair are a hit up north but a little bit too mellow for me. I could hardly withstand the entirety of the album in one listen as it's all a little bit too samey. Unlike releases from Larsen B and Menomena, which are also subtle, mellow releases, Delta struggle to grab at the audience, leave them wanting more, enticing them to listen again and discover a different part of every track which they became infatuated by. It just didn't happen for me.
The album highlight would probably have to be "Nothing's As It Seems" and opening track "Ten Years in Harlem"-this one in particular allows Coleman to express the beauty and power in her vocal ability. Noami does have a good voice, but at times could be mistaken for Delta Goodrem and I'm still unsure of whether or not this is a good thing.
I think I was expecting a feisty The Kills kind of release and instead got a line dancing remix CD. Silver and Gold is the closest I get really to the image I had already created in my head and although the CD could be defended as a typical country classic, this isn't really what the industry is promoting as of late. Live performances have been praised, but then if they came to my local, I doubt I would take an instant dislike, yet I wouldn't rave about them either. It's a tough one really. The odds appear stacked against them- and in a big way.