REVIEW: She Makes War - 'Rattlesnake Live' (My Big Sister Records)

Sometimes you can't fully understand an artist until you've seen them live. Not just a mere female singer songwriter, but a multi-instrumental, conceptual-minded, multiformat artist, She Makes War (aka Laura Kidd) is a real asset to the world of true independent music. Unfortunately I didn't get to see her supporting Suede at their magical Bristol show three weeks ago, due to excessive traffic in the city. So the release of the new seven track live mini-album 'Rattlesnake Live' last week (November 3) came at a time when I was in need of a taste of the SMW live experience. 

This selection of superb recordings makes you realize what an exceptional talent LK is, also encouraging me to revisit and rediscover her fine 2012 long player 'Little Battles'. 

Backed by an excitingly loose backing band, the angsty crunch of 'Exit Strategy' captures a raw energy at odds with the beautifully melancholic 'Butterflies', a cautionary tale of heartbreak accompanied by electric harp and violin. This stunning instrumentation also features on the particularly moving 'Ghosts And Shadows' and adds color to 'Disarm''s sweet dreamy ambience, while the elegant heartfelt beauty of 'Slow Puncture' shows another engaging side to this artist, and would be no doubt be a hit single in a fair, ideal non-manufactured music world. On the ghostly, addictive 'Delete', Kidd creates a fascinating piece of art made up completely of her looped live vocals, proving that a great imagination can make a good idea go a long way. A captivating vocal on the haunting 'Scared To Capsize', leads to a wonderful moment involving a crowd singalong, which really does contribute towards the performance brilliantly.

As far as live albums go, this one often involves your ears and senses in a way that makes you feel as if you're actually in the venue. It works brilliantly as a showcase for some of She Makes War's strongest songs, and as an introduction to this fine musician but if you're already a fan, then be sure to pick this up. 8.5/10

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She Makes War plays the Louisiana in Bristol tonight, as part of the latest Audiophiles show. More info on that can be found HERE.