Charlotte Cornfield- Future Snowbird
On her website, Canadian singer songwriter extraordinaire, Charlotte Cornfield, describes herself as a “Song Farmer”. I agree, her music really “grows” on you. Sorry about that.
Charlotte Cornfield has been creating music for over 10 years, and this year she released her follow up to her critically acclaimed 2011 disc, Two Horses, titled Future Snowbird.
I for one was patiently waiting to hear this one and after many a listen, I conclude that is was worth the wait.
Cornfield sites Bob Dylan and Neil Young as two of her major influences and I can definitely hear a Neil Young quality to her songwriting and vocal delivery on this new nine song album.
The songwriting here is second to none, including her two songwriting heroes. Cornfield’s raggedly appealing vocal style suits the lyrical content to a ‘T”. Her musical genius appears in the way she delivers the content in a style that is original and yet beautifully frustrating.
This is evident on the song “Big Volcano, Small Town”, when she sings “Let the twisting trees be our knuckley fingers, let these little birds be our favourite singers”. This alone is one really good reason to buy this album.
From start to finish Cornfield keeps the brilliant lyrics flying, constantly punching you in the face like a classic Rocky fight until you throw in the towel and collapse on the floor yelling, Adrian!
Cornfield reveals her folky side on two of the strongest tunes, Wheels” and “City Of Giants”. Here she belts out the words sounding better than any song Neil Young has written.
Did I mention that Cornfield could write?
“No Spook” is an up-tempo number where she spews the lyrical alphabet in a snarkey Morrisette like style. This song has been played on CBC Radio, and I’m sure it has caused a few heads to shake in amazement.
Charlotte Cornfield’s Future Snowbird, is one of those records where you need to listen with attentive ears to catch all of the metaphors, similes and all of those other stylistic devices we should’ve learned in English class.
Despite the extra effort needed to absorb this record, it is definitely one of my favourite albums this year so far. Let’s hope we see Cornfield on tour out west this year. I’ll see you there.
