Sofia Talvik - Street Of Dreams

I've just received my signed copy of Sofia Talvik's new album, Street Of Dreams and positively insist you go out and get a copy for yourself.

Street Of Dreams is Sofia's second album, a successor to the 2005 release of Blue Moon with her backing group The Tallboys.

Sofia has a beautiful voice and a great range and this album showcases it to perfection. The music style is primarily guitar-based with a strong folk influence on some of the tracks. The writing is simple and very effective; nothing too flowery or buried under a mountain of metaphors. This makes her songs instantly accessible and immensely memorable. Indeed, you'll be singing along to some of the tunes in your head for days afterwards, guaranteed.

The title track is a stunningly beautiful description tinged with sadness of where Sofia is now; I sincerely hope she turns the corner and finds the success she's searching for. She certainly deserves it on the strength of this great album.

It's Just Love is the first single release from the album and includes the addition of former Suede and McAlmont & Butler band member Bernard Butler. The voices of Sofia and Bernard complement one another perfectly and they achieve some lovely, uplifting harmonies. A video has been produced and released to the web:

The simple arrangements and repetitive lyrics on Holding Your Hand and What Happened On The Bridge Today sound instantly familiar, especially if you've an ear for - or grew up listening to - gentle gaelic and folk music. That sense of comfort with the songs from the first listen and the general catchiness of most of the tracks is what makes the album stand out as one of the best I've heard in many years. Certainly, it's the first that I've played in its entirety back-to-back as soon as I first put on the CD.

Sofia demonstrates an element of humour in Running Out Of You with lyrics such as "Maybe you were struck by lightning, or run over by a truck, Maybe a spaceship did abduct you, maybe you ran out of luck" as she wonders why she's heard nothing from the subject of the song. I wouldn't be surprised to see a release of this track as a single as the fun, sentiment, and slightly more pop feel to the chorus has wide appeal.

The final track on the album, So Good To Me, has a melancholy country/blues feel to it and rounds off Street Of Dreams superbly.

Street Of Dreams by Sofia Talvik is an amazing album with every track strong lyrically and musically. You will not be disappointed with the addition of this album to your collection.