Ruth Theodore – Worm Food

I wrote a very short but enthusiastic post on this LP (free download on Jamendo) when I first heard it last summer – see http://terrapinlistens2.blogspot.com/2008/09/ruth-theodore-worm-food.html (I think Theodore used to be based in Hampshire but now lives in London). Due to multiple misfortune in the Terrapin household – I won’t go into details – I haven’t had time or opportunity to download anything new, so I listened to this again. I had psyched myself up to be disappointed – some things aren’t as good the second time you listen to them - but I still think it is very, very good. If I described it as English folk (with bluesy influences and the odd burst of jazz) it would be too much like pigeon-holing it, so I won’t. Great songs, with bitter, witty lyrics, great singing, great guitar. The only tracks I don’t get on with are “Overexpanding” (a bit smug, IMHO) and “Home” (maudlin). I was intrigued by the strange, raucous live singalong at the end of “Threat” (seemed to be called “Controlled Demolition”). Best though are the incandescent “Rash”, also “Grounded”, “Murray’s Wives” and “3 Floors”.