This April, Samantha Fish will unveil her fiercest work to date, with a new studio album, Paper Doll (Rounder Records). For her latest offering, Sam teamed up with producer and Detroit garage-rock legend Bobby Harlow (The Go) – with assistance from fellow Detroit luminary Mick Collins(The Gories) on one track.
If you’ve been following Samantha’s career in recent times, you will be well aware of the fact that the artist is not afraid of pushing the envelope with each album that follows. The US-based artist has transitioned from blues/rock, garage rock, Americana and even retro soul during her astounding career. The artist’s latest offering sees Sam reunite with Bobby Harlow, who Fish had previously worked with on the Chills and Fever release.
The beauty of Sam’s forays into various musical styles is that each time she does this, Fish proves that she can turn her hand to anything and do it well on each occasion. And with Paper Doll, this is once again the case.
For her latest offering, Samantha certainly channels her North Mississippi/Hill Country Blues influences to great effect. A style of music which the esteemed artist has always shown an interest in and never particularly shied away from.
The opening track, I’m Done Runnin’ is the perfect example of the North Mississippi musical style. The song features a finger-picking introduction and a traditional blues sound that is rich in Sam’s astounding slide guitar play and captivating vocal delivery. Both the guitar riff and the groove are so catchy, that they immediately grab the listener’s attention at the top of the album. Sam’s passionate delivery on the chorus, in particular, is hard to ignore.
The album continues with Can Ya Handle The Heat. And what can we say but, put your fire extinguisher on standby for this scorching blues/rock number? Lose You showcases more of a retro garage/rock sound with an infectious melody. Whilst recent single Sweet Southern Sound oozes with Hammond as it eases the listener in gently. The song builds as Samantha unleashes a face-melting solo in the latter stages of the track.
Samantha switches things up via Off In The Blue. A song with a slightly gentler sound and a heartfelt blues number that allows Fish’s beautiful vocals to captivate the listener.
The blues virtuoso channels greats such as Junior Kimbrough and RL Burnside via the psychedelic hill country grooves of stand-out track Fortune Teller.
Furthermore, Mick Collins accompanies Sam on the fuzz-fueled blues/rocker Rusty Razor. Like a blues siren, Samantha leads the listeners to her gigs and her new album with the stand-out track Paper Doll. It’s no surprise that the song is the title track – it really is that good. The nine-track release comes to a close via the blues ballad Don’t Say It.
Although the title may imply otherwise, there’s nothing paper about this album; it’s just solid gold throughout.
Review by Adam Kennedy
