Thursday Mailbag:: Fraser

This Ontario singer probably hates the reading snippets written about his work. I mean, most are complimentary – and deservedly so – but the ease at which his songs force you to think about other artists must start to grate on the young man.

I usually try to avoid the “sounds-like” trap, but on House on the Hill there are terrific subdued moments that help Fraser sound like Teitur (the opening number Dusklight and Man Playing The Guitar In The Subway would fit perfectly on Poetry & Aeroplanes) and his laid back delivery might remind you of a more rural version of a certain Brushfire Records founder (if he preferred a banjo to a uke), but I think those kind of favorable comparisons are just a way of saying how impressive Fraser’s songs are.

Even with some sketchy production and a couple of stumbles, Fraser’s talent oozes out of this 10-song effort. He splices in a few more uptempo roots/rockers (Let You Down, Rules and the bluesy stomp of Lead Me) to change the pace, but for me he is much more successful the more reserved and emotional he gets. The simple piano chords and picked riff of Love Song and the back porch ready, steel and harmonica laced Fire Elegy let Fraser open up to the listeners and his natural charisma holds you to his words and really shows that House on a Hill could be a great stepping stone for this young London based singer.

MP3:: Fraser - Dusklight
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/listentofraser
BUY:: CD Baby