561. Suzanne Vega - Suzanne Vega

Singer-songwriters are ten-a-penny, and it is hard to define what makes one superior, or simply preferable, to another. The first time I heard the opening track, Cracking, I knew that this was an artist I wouldn't be able to explain why I liked so much, but that I certainly would. 

The guitar sound is utterly superb, with piercing slices of sharp electric tones, and softer, more electro-acoustic lush backdrops. Freeze-tag is a case in point, with the sharper notes juxtaposing with Vega's soft delivery; it's markedly different from your normal singer-songwriter. Undertow's guitars have a sense of cascading water, with different tones and textures washing over the listener, and this taken up a step by Some Journey, with the string section adding a crystalline feel to the song.

The lyrics aren't always clear enough for me, but when they are, they show a real wit and sense of timing, especially on the regal Marlene on the Wall, where the perceived observations of a painting of the owner's night-time behaviour are as well-crafted as they come. The Queen and the Soldier is almost Dylan-esque in its meandering yet captivating narrative, coupled with some insistent strumming, and Knight Moves has some superb observations, such as the Queen turning into a Pawn in "one swift move".

Some of the tracks are more forgettable, such as Straight Lines and Small Blue Thing, but they aren't poor songs in any way, shape, or form; they just lack the magic of the majority. Chloe disagreed with me on my particular choices, which I think demonstrates the strength in depth off this utterly divine album.

Choe's album rating: 7 
Chloe's favourite track: 4. Small Blue Thing
Olly's album rating: 9
Olly's favourite track: 8. The Queen And The Soldier

Next week is 941. The Coral by The Coral.