Reviews

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The Black and White Magazine

This record is a precious gem. Get it while you can. Why, you ask? Because UK's Vashti won't stay in the shadows forever, and Scrapbook will be the envy of every yippy kid on either side of the pond. The 12 songs on Vashti's self-released debut were recorded in 3 sessions. Vashti almost apologizes in the liner notes/credits for the fact that some of the styles presented on the record differ. The truth is that Scrapbook doesn't sound disjointed. Eclectic maybe, but even still, Vashti's soulful vocals weave the songs together. The collective effect of the songs makes it feel as though these songs were born out of the early 70's. Add to that that a little pop-rock happiness ("Boy In The Hat"), a few nods to Portishead meets Goldfrapp ("The Evening Arrives" and "Purely Platonic"), and a handful of predominatly acoustic ballads, and you have Scrapbook. "Window Song" is a vintagely soulful, as Vashti duets with soft horn blasts. The production all around is clean, leaving nothing to be desired, and her voice is front in the mix. After all, this is first and foremost a vocalist record, yet the musical arrangements give Scrapbook a fitting pretense to draw from. If your in need of some new singer/songwriter music, let me hightly suggest that you give Vashti a listen. Hearing Vashti is like hearing the birth of a dream, and it's to glorious effect! She is an up and coming diva with a soulfully distinctive tone. This is a great first start.

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