There's a mysterious edge to The Grey Room and I suspect it may come from the lady herself: Sara Mitchell. This gifted solo performer seems to write beautiful songs, then paint them black. The production, by The Church's Tim Powles and David Skeet, adds to that wonderfully oppressive atmosphere with cut n paste garnishes, approaching even the simplest idea with lateral visions. The result is a rich recording of hidden gems that unravel with each listen, all tied together with the resonance of Sara Mitchell's voice and the power of her emotive compositions. God Shaped Hole is the undisputed champion among the track listing, raising my eyebrows with its modern take on blues: scuffling loops and moaning, dirty bass. At times Sara hints at the attitude of PJ Harvey and in retrospective, sadder moments she transmits the unnerving beauty of Julee Cruise but there's no doubt that The Grey Room proves the existence of a unique voice. In truth, the eclectic nature of Sara's influences makes for a diversity that adds to the depth of this LP whether it's the simplicity of Little Sister or the driving rock of Hate My Heart. Sara Mitchell may represent the darker side of female solo artists in this country but there's no doubt that her haunting tunes have left a deep impression on this reviewer.

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Tracklisting

Full listing of SARA MITCHELL releases