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Dear Reader
We Followed Every Sound
(City Slang)
3 Stars
Having released the impressive South Africa-informed Rivonia earlier this year, alt-pop band Dear Reader are back with a live album recorded with the German Film Orchestra of Babelsberg.
"Live" in this instance means "recorded live" - the audience is only heard applauding at the end of the closing track. Nevertheless it's a perfect match, with the power of the orchestra adding depth and richness to lead singer and songwriter Cheri MacNeil's already striking compositions.
The magical Whale (BooHoo) and the Joanna Newsomesque Dearheart are elevated to full-sized, theatrical show tunes, while sweeping strings and percussion ratchets up the tension on Took Them Away, a song about a police raid on ANC activists.
While fans will find little new here, We Followed Every Sound is as good a starting point as any for newcomers to get acquainted with one of the more interesting singer-songwriters working today.
Ian Sinclair