Ivy League
It's been three years since former One Dove vocalist Dot Allison last released any new material so the 'Beneath The Ivy' E.P. – a taster from her forthcoming, as yet un-named third solo album – marks a welcome return. Opener 'Quicksand' hints at a new folkier direction that acclaimed producer Andy Weatherall has described as "The Velvets meets Emmylou Harris". It's the Velvet Underground of 'Pale Blue Eyes' as opposed to 'Waiting For The Man' but the comparison is uncanny. Allison's voice adds an ethereal quality to proceedings marking her out as one of the finest female vocalists out there at the moment.
The dreamy, Eastern flavoured 'Blade Of Words' is even better than the nominal 'A' side, its slowly unravelling blend of twelve string acoustic guitar and electronic treatments lulling the listener into a near hypnotic trance. The shimmering, harmonica driven 'Paper Rose' is a similarly understated beauty reminiscent of Mazzy Star, it features Allison's best vocal performance across the three tracks. If her new album lives up to half the promise displayed on this EP we could all be in for a treat.