The latest full-length release for the Nashville-based singer-songwriter was written after the end of a long-term relationship and was produced by Andrew Sarlo.
The latest full-length release for the Nashville-based singer-songwriter was written after the end of a long-term relationship and was produced by Andrew Sarlo.
7.0
Courtney Marie Andrews:
Old Flowers
Artist Origin: 🇺🇸
Release Date: 24 July 2020
Label: Fat Possum Records
Genres: Folk / Country
Prosecutor: Adam
This album struck me as an ode to a different era. The country imbued instrumentals with old fashioned lyrics lending it a feel of something I would have listened to with my grandparents after they’d tired of Jim Reeves. In places it sounded very first aid kit and Laura marling, but with less hope than most of first aid kit’s songs and more than most of marling’s. Overall I enjoyed the relaxing nature of the album, and would be good for a relaxing drive or day sat in the garden, but less likely to be played at a knees up. 7.5
Rich
A melancholic bouquet of heartache, Old Flowers blossoms with promise yet withers with a little too much regret. Although it's hard to pick fault with anything specific (I enjoyed the steel guitar of How You Get Hurt, the saloon bar piano of Guilty and Burlap is a funny word) ...as a collection of songs it did seem a little one dimensional, both tonally and musically. As a consequence, it felt a bit ponderous at points - particularly on the first half of the record. Thankfully, Break The Spell breezes in to momentarily lift the mood, while It Must Be Someone Else's Fault follows to deliver a much-welcome boot to the album's bollocks. This all said, there's more than enough to suggest that Courtney is a blooming marvellous talent in the Spring of her career ...she just needs to make it through this rather bleak autumn she seems to be experiencing. Tasting notes: Judee Sill, Joni Mitchell, even a bit of Bush. 7.0
Mike
CMA offers a delicate take on love and loss. Tender and meandering. Heartfelt and considered in lyrics and sound. Definite nods to first aid kit and Marling and Parton in the sound and would make a good companion piece to Julia Jacklin's (Don't let the kids win). Carnival dream is a beautiful track, and I like the melancholic How you get hurt. But someone should tell CMA you can water old flowers. An easy listen and a lovely album to listen to on a sunny autumn walk home from work. 7.8
Phil
Guilty is the stand out track from the old style country rhythms on this record - which is otherwise a route one snooze fest. No doubt there’s a ready made market for these mawkish melodies in certain U S of A states (insert cliche’d shout out to Nashville and a pick up truck), but I ain’t feelin it. I’d rather listen to Dolly Parton. 4.0
Dan
CMA pours over relationship heartbreak with a slice of wholesome county full of tender ballads and sad lyrics. An album that really blossomed with invested listens away from the distractions of my WFH hot desk. Loved the delicate instrumentation across this record, which feels carefully considered and unhurried. Lyrically, it’s equally as strong, avoiding all the classic tropes of a break-up album. CMA certainly paints a picture with words, lines like ‘you can’t water old flowers’ on the album’s title track Old Flowers feel evocative and personal. Opener Burlap String sets the standard, a gently-rolling, well-rounded country ballad recalling some of early folk balladry of Harvest era Neil Young. No mean feat. Third track Carnival Dream is a devastating wallop in the feelies. A lethal combo of stripped-back haunting piano keys and the heartbreaking ‘Will I ever let love in again?’ refrain. Just stunning. Elsewhere ‘It must be someone else’s fault’ is an ‘out and proud’ country ballad evoking the soothing 70s sounds of country-juggernauts Parton and Rodgers. And closing track Closer Ships is another stripped soulful ballad that really showcases the emotional tug of CMA’s voice. 8.2
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This album struck me as an ode to a different era. The country imbued instrumentals with old fashioned lyrics lending it a feel of something I would have listened to with my grandparents after they’d tired of Jim Reeves. In places it sounded very first aid kit and Laura marling, but with less hope than most of first aid kit’s songs and more than most of marling’s. Overall I enjoyed the relaxing nature of the album, and would be good for a relaxing drive or day sat in the garden, but less likely to be played at a knees up. 7.5
Rich
A melancholic bouquet of heartache, Old Flowers blossoms with promise yet withers with a little too much regret. Although it's hard to pick fault with anything specific (I enjoyed the steel guitar of How You Get Hurt, the saloon bar piano of Guilty and Burlap is a funny word) ...as a collection of songs it did seem a little one dimensional, both tonally and musically. As a consequence, it felt a bit ponderous at points - particularly on the first half of the record. Thankfully, Break The Spell breezes in to momentarily lift the mood, while It Must Be Someone Else's Fault follows to deliver a much-welcome boot to the album's bollocks. This all said, there's more than enough to suggest that Courtney is a blooming marvellous talent in the Spring of her career ...she just needs to make it through this rather bleak autumn she seems to be experiencing. Tasting notes: Judee Sill, Joni Mitchell, even a bit of Bush. 7.0
Mike
CMA offers a delicate take on love and loss. Tender and meandering. Heartfelt and considered in lyrics and sound. Definite nods to first aid kit and Marling and Parton in the sound and would make a good companion piece to Julia Jacklin's (Don't let the kids win). Carnival dream is a beautiful track, and I like the melancholic How you get hurt. But someone should tell CMA you can water old flowers. An easy listen and a lovely album to listen to on a sunny autumn walk home from work. 7.8
Phil
Guilty is the stand out track from the old style country rhythms on this record - which is otherwise a route one snooze fest. No doubt there’s a ready made market for these mawkish melodies in certain U S of A states (insert cliche’d shout out to Nashville and a pick up truck), but I ain’t feelin it. I’d rather listen to Dolly Parton. 4.0
Dan
CMA pours over relationship heartbreak with a slice of wholesome county full of tender ballads and sad lyrics. An album that really blossomed with invested listens away from the distractions of my WFH hot desk. Loved the delicate instrumentation across this record, which feels carefully considered and unhurried. Lyrically, it’s equally as strong, avoiding all the classic tropes of a break-up album. CMA certainly paints a picture with words, lines like ‘you can’t water old flowers’ on the album’s title track Old Flowers feel evocative and personal. Opener Burlap String sets the standard, a gently-rolling, well-rounded country ballad recalling some of early folk balladry of Harvest era Neil Young. No mean feat. Third track Carnival Dream is a devastating wallop in the feelies. A lethal combo of stripped-back haunting piano keys and the heartbreaking ‘Will I ever let love in again?’ refrain. Just stunning. Elsewhere ‘It must be someone else’s fault’ is an ‘out and proud’ country ballad evoking the soothing 70s sounds of country-juggernauts Parton and Rodgers. And closing track Closer Ships is another stripped soulful ballad that really showcases the emotional tug of CMA’s voice. 8.2
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