Beth Hart is a Grammy nominated singer-songwriter, who I`m sure needs little introduction. She has collaborated with Slash, Buddy Guy, rapper Born, Joe Bonamassa and has toured with legendary blues rock guitarist Jeff Beck. She has a new album `War In My Mind` which is probably her most personal yet. Beth relates “On this album, I’m even closer to vulnerability and openness about my life, about love, addiction, my bipolar, my dad, my sister…”
`Bad Woman Blues` starts with almost a gospel flavour before heading more bluesy with a catchy chorus and some wonderful harmony backing. It`s an anti-love song about a woman who doesn’t have any interest whatsoever in being good, because she knows she’s not. But instead of loathing herself for it, she revels in it and ensures that she gets what she wants in a relationship. I have to say, this offering really shows the range that Beth`s vocal can explore. The title track `War In My Mind` is a piano ballad that probes the addiction-troubled years when Beth felt she couldn’t go on. A really cathartic song but a difficult listen due to the honesty laid bare.
`Without Words In The Way` opens with a wonderful double bass before the piano takes over with a brushed drum hovering in the background. They lay the foundation for the vocals which are sweetly sung over the top. A song of longing. A track that is so emotionally honest that its mere mention brings Beth to the brink of tears follows with `Let It Grow`. “That song is just about having so much hope in the face of being hopeless.” A real tearjerker.
`Try A Little Harder` is a sort of underlying evaluation of the similarities between the singer and her father who was at one time a Las Vegas high roller. Beth relates “It’s me jumping into my father’s body back in the ’70s” she explains. “So, I’m using his mania for being a baccarat player and my mania for making music. My father and I are so much alike, it’s ridiculous. That song makes me feel confident, happy, and more forgiving of my bipolar disorder.” The music is quite soulful with a fundamental boogie feel.
`Sister Dear` is an emotional lament to the singer`s sibling and is more poignant as it`s played out with her playing a piano to accompany her singing. We get a danceable uplifting song with a real Latin feel with `Spanish Lullabies` a nice mid-tempo piece with some flamenco guitar snatches.
`Rub Me For Luck` is a melancholic and at times an anthemic aria. A platform where this lady can really release the power of her vocal range. A much more driving rhythmic pop tune follows with `Sugar Shack` quite a soulful number.
The final three songs `Woman Down`, `Thankful` and `I Need A Hero` are all intense heart felt and passionate outings with subjects that are really personal to what the singer has encountered, overcome and is now grateful for having survived.
There was a lot to admire on this album and it comes from a real sense of an artist addressing their past, very liberating and cleansing. Beth Hart has a stunning voice and exceptional vocal range and the slow burn, sorrowful offerings here are incomparable.
But for me there just wasn`t enough variation in pace.
Rating 7.5/10
