The Catenary Wires

Ok, I have to admit it…..Amelia Fletcher could sing the phone book (if there still were phone books) and I’d wanna listen….hell, I’d probably love it. Through all of her bands: Tallulah Gosh, Heavenly, Marine Research, Tender Trap and maybe others that I’m missing, her songs and singing have continually tickled my fancy throughout the years. This is her latest project, an acoustic duo that she does with her partner Rob Pursey (who was in all, or at least most, of the previously mentioned bands) and what can I say, I love it. It’s mostly acoustic guitars but added in some light percussion and an occasional gentle keyboard and light electric guitar. Apparently they left London a few years ago and ended up in the country away from everything…but they still wanted to make music and voila! The Catenary Wires were born. Amelia sings lead on most songs with Rob adding in backing vocals (in a real low register, like a Brit, version of Calvin Johnson or Stephin Merrit or something) and the songs are terrific. The record opens with the lovely single “Intravenous” and then goes into the equally inspiring “When You Walk Away.”  A little later Rob sings lead on “Throw Another Love Song on the For” then Amelia picks up the ball and runs with it on the sublime, “Too Late I Love You.” A few of my favorites are the excellent “Like a Fool” and the gorgeous duet “The Records We Never Play” and the dreamy ‘Things I Love.” I love it when my favorite musicians form new bands that are as good as the stuff I previously loved. That’s this.