Troubled by the Fire

Laura Veirs

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 25, 2006)
• Original Release Date: March 4, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Kill Rock Stars
• ASIN: B000FUF89S
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #51,902 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Treasure from Seattle, March 16, 2004

By	Juan Mobili (Valley Cottage, NY USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Troubled by the Fire (Audio CD)

What a gorgeous, gorgeous album. The story goes, read Uncut for more accurate details, that Laura was a geologist before she ever considered music a calling, and lonely doing fieldwork in some Chinese plains, she picked a guitar. Well, that was a few years ago by now, and this CD is her third one, with Carbon Glacier -her latest- being available only as an import. Rather than comparing her to other singers or groups that may orbit similar suns, I would say that fans of Folk, Americana, and even Alt Country will find her a true gem. Laura Veirs is a distinct voice. In the literal sense, she already possesses a tone and phrasing that have found their home. In terms of her compositions, a mature observer is already dwelling on this talented young woman. As far as I'm concerned she's the next generation of goddesses, preceded by Gilliam Welch, and Emylou Harris and Joni Mitchell before them.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Early contender for best album of 2003, April 16, 2003

By	K. Erickson (Walla Walla, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Troubled by the Fire (Audio CD)

Laura works with traditional forms from the americana/folk/alt. country tradition, but gently pushes boundaries into other territories. Yet it always comes across as completely natural.
At the center is Laura's voice, unaffected and disarming, often soothing and graceful, but occasionally hinting at an aggressive streak (a sign of Laura's roots in punk rock?). Gentle country ballads, intricate acoustic guitar playing, great lyrical imagery...there's a lot to fall in love with here.

Meanwhile Tucker Martine's production could be placed somewhere between Jim O'Rourke's subtle experimentation on Wilco's "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" and the atmospheric vibe of Daniel Lanois. Throw in guest appearances from guitar hero Bill Frisell, banjo god Danny Barnes and violinist Eyvind Kang and you're left with an amazing album, sure to be one of the year's best.
-kevin erickson
music director, kwcw fm

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific album, April 16, 2003

By	Richard Stringfellow "dv8or70" (Monroe, WA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Troubled by the Fire (Audio CD)

This album has so much going for it. Ms. Veirs is a charming and talented songwriter. Her range on this album goes from folk to country to pop/rock with some instrumentals thrown in to vary the mood appropriately. Guest musicians include: Danny Barnes, Amy Denio, Bill Frissell, and Eyvind Kang. It's difficult for me to pick any favorites from the album as it is so solid that I highly recommend listening to the whole thing several times through. "Bedroom Eyes" stands out for it's gorgeous lyric. "Cannon Fodder", the oddity on the album, is a catchy pop/rock tune about the stupidity of violence. "Tom Skookum Road" is a solid instrumental. "Tiger Tattoos" is a nearly perfect in lyric and music. "Devil's Hootenanny" is one incredible folk song performed here with gusto! If you like albums by singer/songwriters, then Laura Veirs has put out one of the best of the year so far. With setting the bar this high, it will be very tough for anyone to top this.