An interesting fusion of ideas, instruments and effects.
Twenty-one year old Rose Kemp hails from Bristol, and a musical background – her parents are Maddy Prior and Rick Kemp 1970s band Steeleye Span. Rose's recording debut came in 2002 with a contribution to a cappella folk album 'Bib And Tuck' by Maddy Prior And The Girls and, in 2003 she released her debut album 'Glance'. 'Violence' is taken from her forthcoming second album 'A Hand Full Of Hurricanes', which has, according to Rose's press release, drawn comparisons to Regina Spektor and PJ Harvey. Flattering as these allusions are, they are in fact somewhat misleading as Rose has a sound that is definitely her own.
'Violence' opens with a guitar and drum intro before Rose's voice arrives, full, strong and carrying the melody with conviction and emotion. The track alternates between vocal-driven sections and guitar-heavy sections which sound more like metal than folk. This contradiction of sounds does not sound forced or fabricated, and is certainly original; yet in places it seems to not quite work – possibly because building up to a loud section near the beginning of the track removes some of its tension and suspense.
'Fire In The Garden' is a more downbeat track, heavy with multi-layered vocals and (complaints about comparisons aside) reminiscent of early PJ Harvey. By turns claustrophobic, soothing and dread-inducing, Ms Kemp manages to utilise vocal effects in an effective and interesting way, the only down side of the track being that in places the sound is a little too unrefined and thus sounds harsh.
Rose Kemp is certainly not afraid to shun mainstream traditions and easy ways out, and for that she must be applauded. The two tracks here are not faultless and may not appeal to those who like a more refined sound; but the mood created by them is strong and unique, carried out by a woman with obvious vocal and instrumental skill. 'A Hand Full Of Hurricanes' is certainly something for folk, singer-songwriter, alternative and experimental fans alike to look forward to.