Either as part of Victoria’s Immaculate Machine or as a late addition to the New Pornographers, Kathryn Calder is often measured by the company she keeps. Now, with the release of her solo debut Are You My Mother? Calder can be judged on her own merit.
She isn’t completely alone, however. Producer Colin Stewart brings a crisp clarity to the album, and Calder has enlisted the help of plenty of her friends to back her up, including fellow Pornographers Kurt Dahle and Neko Case.
Although she’s working in her familiar piano pop milieu, this tender batch of beautiful, low-key songs truly showcases her strong yet silky vocals and her striking, albeit slightly naïve, songwriting. While some songs fall short of their full potential, others are too precious for their own good, and besides, Are You My Mother? isn’t without surprises. From the stunning string arrangements to an album-long build that culminates with the dramatic closer “All It Is,” Are You My Mother? is both a fresh start and a new chapter in the ever-talented Calder’s career.
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