Linda Draper – Traces Of / 2006 Planting Seeds / 4 Tracks / http://www.lindadraper.net / http://www.plantingseedsrecords.com / Reviewed 25 February 2007

The opening of “Traces Of” is slow, with only the smallest amount of instrumentation present to mesh with Draper’s vocal. The lightly-stated track, “Traces Of” is compelling, even if it does not easily conform to the current conventions of popular music. It is a perfect introduction to this EP, and shows that Draper is capable of changing the tempo and overall sound of the track even as the disc spins on. Hints of Suzanne Vega and Natalie Core are present during this track, which leads in to “Big Blue Sky”. The extended length of “Traces Of” goes by quickly, which is a major feat considering that Draper has such a slow and deliberate approach to start off this EP.

The track is definitely single fodder, should anyone be lucky enough to stumble upon the track or this EP. The guitar that opens up the “alternative version” of “Big Blue Sky” (we are not treated to the original version) gives something tangible with which to work with; the vocals by Draper on this track have an interesting echo that are present throughout the track. The two beginning tracks work well together, but should not be seen as re-treads of each other. Draper has the uncommon ability to actually come out with tracks that push at the boundaries of eir genre and provide listeners with a different conception of who the artist is. The last two tracks are “Flower Lady” and “The Lottery Song”, covers that Draper created of a Phil Ochs and a Harry Nilsson track respectively. While I ama fan of Ochs, I did not know “Flower Lady” before Draper covered it. This means that I have no baseline to compare it to, and thus, the track is quite like Draper’s own.

The same dreamy style is present in “Flower Lady” (also an “alternate version”), and further constructs listener’s conception of Draper. While this disc only has four tracks, the cohesion that Draper crafts on “Traces Of” is enough to give individuals a good idea about what ey is trying to do with the disc and how ey does it. I know that I would love to hear a full length of Draper’s just as soon as it is available; the disc, while being short, is something that could make it onto CD players fairly often. Draper is a diamond in the rough that is singer-songwriterdom, and here’s to hoping that ey gets more popular as the days pass.

Top Track: Traces Of

Rating: 6.2/10

[JMcQ]