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Gemma Hayes

Work To A Calm EP

Label: Source Release Date: 12/11/2001

2094
jcameron by Jamie Cameron November 12th, 2001

Forget Kathryn Williams. This is the second EP from Gemma Hayes, probably the best kept secret from the Source label. Gemma's first release, the beautiful 4.35am EP, was a fragile, acoustic, Joni Mitchell-esque introduction to the world of Gemma Hayes. The problem with releasing a brilliant acoustic EP but with little variation is that some people might think acoustic is all you are capable of. This EP is to prove that Gemma is just as influenced by My Bloody Valentine as she is Joni Mitchell.

The first two songs on the EP, 'Tear In My Side' (Tear in my side/ I feel it all) and 'I Worked Myself Into A Calm' (You can cry/ no-one is looking at you) are two electric tracks which features the whole of Gemma's band and are both examples of the My Bloody Valentine influence. They both still have Joni Mitchell traces in them with the harmonies and quiet mid-sections and this works well in contrast with the more electric parts.

'I Worked Myself Into A Calm' is probably the more heavier of the two tracks with lots of distortion at the beginning of the song. This song is worth listening to just for the beautiful mid-section (All good things must change/ and i'd fight it/ if I could).

For those of you who prefer the quieter, more acoustic side of Gemma Hayes, don't worry, because past this point Gemma is back to 4.35am mode with 'Can't Find Love', 'A New Day (Version 1)' and 'Callas (Instrumental)'.

The most memorable part of the whole EP has to be 'A New Day (Version 1) (I got myself a second chance). This song is one of the most beautiful songs I have heard in a long time. The song makes me think of falling asleep in a field on a hazy summers day. Perfect.

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