Albums by this artist

Central Reservation (1999)

Beth Orton

Central Reservation

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» GINA VIVINETTO | STAFF WRITER

Beth Orton Central Reservation Arista, 1999 RiYL: Suzanne Vega, The Carpenters, Sinead O'Connor, Bjork

Critics have been agog over Beth Orton since her 1996 debut, Trailer Park. Her second album, Central Reservation, is further proof that the British songwriter has a voice from the heavens and talent to burn.

Because of her acoustic guitar and her traipsing around with the Lilith Fair ladies, Orton's pegged as a sort of folkie bohemian. She's not.

She's much more diverse, working on this album with jazz legend Terry Callier and New Orleans pianist Dr. John. She has also goofed around in the studio with electronica giants the Chemical Brothers.

Central Reservation finds Orton genre-hopping again, sounding alternately like Phoebe Snow, Dusty Springfield, and -- yes -- Karen Carpenter. Orton's songwriting is top-notch, with luscious melodies and lyrics that are equally punky and poetic.

Much of Central Reservation is frosted with gorgeous viola and violin. The vibraphone keyboards on "Couldn't Cause Me Harm" make it sound almost like Bacharach: an instant classic.

Orton is tender enough to appeal to those granola girls who burn candles around the rim of the bath tub, but still gutsy enough to perk up the ears of their boyfriends.

GINA VIVINETTO |