R e v i e w s
Lust of Pig and the Fresh Blood
Brainwashed
Over the last few years, Sheeran has been developing her craft as a solo performer. Occasional CD-R and download releases, along with regular live performance have shown her skills as a songwriter and a performer to be constantly increasing. Therefore it comes as no surprise to me that her debut album is absolute perfection. Every time I think that it has reached a peak, I am greeted with an equally good, if not better, song immediately afterwards.
As Lust of Pig & The Fresh Blood has been plagued with production hiccups and is now appearing months later than expected, to finally hear this album after watching it slowly form on the stage and through Sheeran's Pledge Music campaign is a treat indeed. It is an expansive, layered and finely crafted work; each of the songs becoming its own fairy tale world. Sheeran utilises a range of instruments to create ever-changing backdrops for her songs. From ukulele to singing saw all the way through to glass-like electronics, she has made a collection of music that is continually exciting and each listen reveals another facet of her talents. On Sally Please Don’t Go Sheeran already uses enough musical ideas that would make an interesting album let alone a single song and she manages to keeps up this level of creativity for the length of Lust of Pig & The Fresh Blood.
The Fresh Blood forms a focal point in the album, Sheeran's vocals taking on their most lyrical and magical form yet: "Today I saw the world/Through a hole in the floor." The eerie implications of the words are matched by a haunting melody on an acoustic guitar that slowly gets enveloped by gurgling haze of electronics and drums. All the while, Sheeran seems to stand poised in the center of this seething music, her voice coming through clearly despite its gentleness. Elsewhere, It's Been a Long Day takes seemingly benign lyrics but casts them in a bewitching and slightly sinister light; Sheeran invites you to rest in her arms but her inflection suggests that you might never be released.
Some familiar names appear throughout Lust of Pig & The Fresh Blood, many of whom are related to Fovea Hex (of which Sheeran has been a staple part since their first EP). Clodagh Simonds lends her voice to "An Apple for You" and strings appear courtesy of Cora Venus Lunny and Kate Ellis, rounding out the music beautifully. However, at no point does Sheeran's music sound like just an offshoot of Fovea Hex. Evidently her own ideas have been brewing for some time (a song called "I'm Sorry Son" first appeared on one of Sheeran's Sketches CD-Rs before becoming Walk Out With Me here) and the guests appear purely on Sheeran's terms. They add to the music but never overpower the songs with their own styles.
From all that I have heard of Sheeran prior to this, I had a strong inkling that she had a stormer of an album in her somewhere but for it to arrive fully formed so early in her career is a pleasant surprise. With any luck, this is only the start of a large back catalog. I imagine a lot of people will pick this up via the Fovea Hex connection but I honestly feel that Sheeran has fostered her own talents to the point where she deserves all the recognition for herself.
State.ie
"Laura Sheeran’s Music For The Deep Woods EP was one of the most striking domestic releases of 2010, showcasing a dark, filmic sound infused with dread and menace. For a debut effort it was remarkable in its depth and its well-rounded aesthetic – no doubt aided by her membership (since she was 15) of the critically acclaimed Fovea Hex collective. Full-length follow-up Lust of Pig & the Fresh Blood doesn’t deviate too far from the blueprint either lyrically or musically: a natural progression in terms of what went before, it’s characterised by ominous atmospherics and unsettling themes." [read full review]
New Noise
"I remember seeing Laura Sheeran play Black Sun at the Granary and being totally blown away by her performance. So much so, that I honestly cannot remember who else played that night. Sheeran is such a fascinating musician and she maintains a relatively low profile for someone who has had such an incredible career. Her days playing with Fovea Hex saw her perform for director David Lynch and share a bill with the likes of Sunn O))). Not too shabby at all!
Fast forward a few years and Sheeran is about to release her debut solo album ‘Lust of Pig & the Fresh Blood’ given the high standard of her live show one can only have a high expectation of her debut album.
‘Lust of Pig & the Fresh Blood’ is a gorgeous listen, Sheeran’s voice is completely mesmerising and it’s difficult not to hang on her every word. Sally Please Don’t Go and Computer Receive are both awe-inspiring tracks reminding one of Radiohead circa Kid A. A Wake and the harmonious Take Me Where She Sleeps are both hauntingly beautiful tracks, bringing to mind PJ Harvey’s To Bring You My Love. Sheeran seems determined to succeed with this album, everything about it (including its apt title) does more than seek your attention it commands it. This is a diverse and exceptionally intriguing album, each track has something extraordinary to offer.
Laura Sheeran’s ‘Lust of Pig & the Fresh Blood’ is a spectacular debut and certainly lives up to expectations. The album goes on release on April 1st with a launch at Tower Records in Dublin. Do check it out!"