Charlotte Martin
Veins
2005


For her latest EP, Veins, Charlotte Martin both sticks to the style she is known for and takes a step in an entirely new direction. On the first half of the disc, Martin’s signature vocals are backed by electronic beats and experimental sound samples, whereas the second half contains a few new songs in the same vein (pun shamefully intended) as her familiar charming piano work.

Even in an entirely new musical setting, Martin has never sounded more self-assured, especially on the soulful title track, soaring over various drum samples ping-ponging back and forth in stereo. She even appears to be having fun with her new electronic toys, trying out a music box on “Bones” and a danceable techno beat and bassline on “Four Walls.”

“Days of the Week” and “Root” may not break any new musical ground, but still show Martin’s incredible songwriting talent.  Also contributed to the EP are a brooding piano instrumental, “Cars on Crescent,” backed by sounds of waves giving the image of wading into the ocean, and an emotional live performance of “On Your Shore.” Surely this is a transitional record, but wherever Charlotte Martin takes herself from will be inevitably fascinating.

-- Steve Pfau