Sal Kimber – Sounds Like Thunder

Sal Kimber – Sounds Like Thunder Cd review by Chris Spencer
Of all the albums I’ve reviewed this month, this one has proved the most difficult. Sal Kimber is from Glenrowan in Victoria, and this is her 2nd recording, her first being an EP. Positive press such as this description from the Basement Discs website: “Sounding rural & rootsy, but with urban savvy, her songs are perfect stories within a beautifully arranged and featuring wonderfully sympathetic and innovative instrumentation.” suggest that Sal has a sound that should be heard. I wasn’t so convinced on first listens, but her songs grow on you. Not in a way where you will be singing along to melodies, but more in the appreciation of the arrangements and song writing. The songs that work best on this album are the ones that feature Kimber’s banjo playing, such as the title track, “Platform”, – the train song, “No Shoes” and “Katie Brown”. Perhaps these songs work best because the musicianship comes to the fore and there’s less reliance on the words and vocals. Other songs I enjoyed were the shuffle “Tempt the Rain” with its use of drum brushes and double bass. “Sunnyside” also features the banjo; “Met Police” is a jaunty poke at ticket inspectors on trains, while “Distance” is slower with a guitar solo. To give you some pinpointers to what Sal’s voice is like, at times, I caught myself thinking of Kasey Chambers and Stevie Nicks:- not a pure voice, but one with a bit of character and timbre. Musicians who are listed as assisting with the recording include Shane French, Dan Smith and Liz Frencham, although their individual roles are not identified. Kimber’s music is neither folk nor country, definitely not bluegrass, although at times influences from these three genres can be gleaned. If you enjoy banjo music, you might be disappointed that there isn’t more emphasis on banjo playing, but I enjoyed hearing the instrument as a support to Kimber’s vocals, rather than an “album for banjo”. After several listens, this album becomes a recommended, rather than just “have a listen” to see if you like it.Sal Kimber – Sounds Like Thunder
by Chris Spencer
Of all the albums I’ve reviewed this month, this one has proved the most difficult.  Sal Kimber is from Glenrowan
in Victoria, and this is her 2nd recording, her first being an EP.

Positive press such as this description from the Basement
Discs website: “Sounding rural & rootsy, but with urban savvy, her songs are perfect stories within a beautifully  arranged and featuring wonderfully sympathetic and innovative instrumentation.” suggest that Sal has a sound  that should be heard.
I wasn’t so convinced on first listens, but her songs grow on you. Not in a way where you will be singing along to melodies, but more in the appreciation of the arrangements and song writing.
The songs that work best on this album are the ones that feature Kimber’s banjo playing, such as the title track, “Platform”, – the train song, “No Shoes” and “Katie Brown”.
Perhaps these songs work best because the musicianship  comes to the fore and there’s less reliance on the words and vocals.

Other songs I enjoyed were the shuffl e “Tempt the Rain” with its use of drum brushes and double bass. “Sunnyside” also features the banjo; “Met Police” is a jaunty poke at ticket inspectors on trains, while “Distance” is slower with a guitar solo.
To give you some pinpointers to what Sal’s voice is like, at times, I caught myself thinking of Kasey Chambers and  Stevie Nicks:- not a pure voice, but one with a bit of character and timbre. Musicians who are listed as assisting with the recording include Shane French, Dan Smith and Liz
Frencham, although their individual roles are not identified.
Kimber’s music is neither folk nor country, definitely not  bluegrass, although at times influences from these three genres can be gleaned.
If you enjoy banjo music, you might be disappointed that there isn’t more emphasis on banjo playing, but I enjoyed hearing the instrument as a support to Kimber’s vocals, rather than an “album for banjo”. After several listens, this album becomes a recommended, rather than just “have a listen” to see if you like it.