When Danielle Spencer’s latest album Calling All Magicians arrived in my letterbox I could scarcely wait to put it in my stereo. Her 2001 debut White Monkey wasn’t just one of my favourite albums of that year; it remains one of my favourite albums of all time. But, I also felt a little trepidation. That album was conceived a long time ago, a time before her marriage to actor Russell Crowe and the birth of their two children. Could she create an album that moved me in the same way now that her life has entered a much calmer phase?
Happily, and perhaps surprisingly, I found that the answer was yes. While other strong female artists like Tori Amos, Melissa Etheridge, and Alanis Morisette have mellowed since their awe-inspiring debuts, Danielle is still an artist who enjoys the darkness.
While mentioning Tori Amos it’s impossible not to draw comparisons between the two musicians. Just like Tori, Danielle’s music is characterised by her ethereal voice and pounding piano. Yet Danielle is no imitator. Her lyrics tell her own stories, and their allusions to magic and fairytales are compellingly whimsical. Those allusions give Calling All Magicians a wonderfully familiar feel to anyone who enjoyed her first release. The track “Back at the Red Door” even acts as a sequel of sorts to the White Monkey song “Cartoon.”
Danielle doesn’t dwell in the shadows altogether though. “On Your Side” has a playful jaunt to it, and there’s a calm beauty about the closer “End of Story.” We get the impression that for all the darkness, Danielle is in a pretty good place.
Calling All Magicians is a lush and evocative collection of songs, an album that’s one of the best I’ve heard this year. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you loved Danielle’s debut I can guarantee you’re going to adore it. And if you’ve never experienced her music, I encourage you give it a spin.
Image source: Chaos
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