Safe but sound.
Wallis Bird is a twenty-four year old singer-songwriter whose primary instrument is the guitar (despite suffering a lawnmower accident as a child which severed all the fingers of her left hand) but don't let that information cause you to pigeonhole in any way. Wallis brings with her sweet but strong vocals and carefree strummings an intensity and attitude that is uniquely her own, whilst still being radio-friendly enough to instantly appeal to almost anyone.
'Counting To Sleep' is an energetic opener powered by guitar riffs and a carefree melody packed with cleverly-penned lyrics about non-drivers attempting to joyride and a love formed in insomniac nights. This lively side of Wallis is also seen in the lively 'Moodsets' proving that she has not been educated only in the quiet misery school of singer-songwriting so often heard nowadays. '6ft 8' begins with a slight sadness, but soon moves into a singalong testament to a lover; and 'The Circle' and notable single release 'Blossoms In The Street' are pure pop cut from the same cloth as KT Tunstall.
That isn't to say that Wallis isn't able to tug at the heartstrings •'Slow Me Down' delivers exactly what the title implies, and throughout 'Spoons' we are treated to glimpses of Wallis' private life by way of her confessional and storytelling lyrics • here is a performer who is not afraid to open up to her audience. At times Ms Bird's less upbeat tracks do overstep the line into the sugary-sweet, 'You Are Mine' and 'Just Keep Going' in particular could be described as 'soppy' and have limited appeal outside of certain emotionally charged moods (or perhaps this reviewer is just a cynic?).
'Spoons' contains an ample spread of themes, speeds and feelings; and thus when listening to it one won't get lost in mediocrity as so often happens when someone sits down with their guitar for forty minutes and commits it to record. On the other hand Wallis Bird breaks no boundaries, avoids shocking and undoubtedly has more in common with pop acts such as Sandi Thom and KT Tunstall than the more daring and indie Ani Difranco and Cat Power, despite the comparisons her press company would prefer to make. If, however, sparky, buoyant pop floats your boat and you have an ear for an interesting lyric 'Spoons' may be just the antidote you need for any winter blues.