My Brightest Diamond Bring Me The Workhorse by: Kev Lavery Tue:06-Mar-07 Label: Asthmatic Kitty Year: 2006 WB rating 70 out of 100

Shara Worden’s incarnation, My Brightest Diamond, offers a great deal. From the get-go she delivers and keeps on giving. Worden’s vocals soar above the myriad of different styles of music on this album with a vibrato that ranks slightly under Antony Hegarty’s. This definition of her vibrato is not a comment on her skill or her singing, but more that her vibrato is not as pronounced as Antony’s. Her vibrato is, however, always used to great effect and, in tone and skill of instrument, her voice is mesmerising. It is equally as captivating when she is almost whispering or when she is squealing to “Freak out!”

From what I can find it seems that Worden started her music career as one of Sufjan Stevens’ Illinoisemakers; what is strange, however, is that his influence is terribly faint on this album as opposed to some of Worden’s Asthmatic Kitty Records stable-mates. She moves from rock, to soul, to sensual softness, and then back and forth across these and other genres, weaving various aspects through Bring Me The Workhorse. ‘Disappear’ sounds a little like Bjork writing the soundtrack to a foreign film; other songs have a distinctly PJ Harvey quality. Despite this diversity it is Worden’s voice that truly shines. It is a voice of enchanting operatic undertone that, one assumes, would carry the length of an open field with just a whisper. It is the kind of voice that you cannot talk over and can barely think over.

Like a truly great musician Worden has surrounded herself with people as equally and uniquely talented as she is. From start to finish this album is beguiling as Worden moves, although not always seamlessly, wherever she desires in terms of musical direction; the orchestration always moving with her whether through screeching rock or honeyed softness. My Brightest Diamond is purely a full and rich sound unlike anything I’ve heard before. Some listeners may be turned off by a few of the rockier songs, and possibly others by the softer songs, but as a complete article it works. And, although it isn’t always the case with albums that are good as a ‘complete article’, if separated each track on Bring Me The Workhorse is just as powerful as if played in their store-bought order.

As with other releases from this label, Bring Me The Workhorse is impeccably produced. With its incredible production, songwriting, and performances from all concerned, My Brightest Diamond seems destined to become an artist who is sadly but simply a musician’s musician. It is an awful shame when this happens because, despite the enormous compliment, as we all know, musicians have no money and tend to get their music from friends or by telling their friends who own websites that they are an awesome writer and should write music reviews for his website. I just hope that Worden’s appeal is as far-reaching as her talent.