Christine Fellows – Roses
on the Vine (Vivat Virtute)
There’s no easy box in
which to fit Christine Fellows. The Winnipeg artist is a singer-songwriter who
collaborates with visual artists and choreographers, writing songs based on
people and events generations apart. For most of her career she played piano; other
than textural synths, there are few, if any, keyboards on this, her seventh
album. It was co-produced by her life and writing partner, John K. Samson of
the Weakerthans; she, in turn, plays the same role on his recent records. Their
influence on each other is obvious, and fans of the intricate character studies
in his songs will find plenty to love in the writing of Fellows.
Roses on the Vine
might well be her finest work to date, even from just a purely musical
standpoint. There’s too much ukulele here for my own tastes, but other than
that the plaintive cellos, the blurpy and droning synths, stuttering drum
machines, and the always eclectic percussion from the Weakerthans’ Jason Tait
all colour these creations in indelible ways.
The title track is a
straight-up country song, and it’s a beautiful one. “One More For the Road”
should be the closing song at every Canadian folk festival in the next 10
years. “Me and Carmen” is deep into Sufjan Stevens territory: wistful but wise.
“Evening Train” owes a debt to Television’s “Marquee Moon.”
"Unleashed" is so pop it could be a Tegan and Sara song.
It all adds up to a
dense but rewarding listen, an embrace of eclecticism, and a masterful display
of craft. Phase two of her career starts now.
Stream: "Evening
Train," "Unleashed" “Spell to Bring Lost Creatures Home”
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