Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Exploration of ideas is what always pushes the artist into new, unfound realms of discovery, the beautiful struggle of chasing down a song, endlessly correcting a piece of poetry, or indeed sculpting marble into humanity, all lead to the next big idea, Some Other Stories in which to bring to life and see the cycle continue onwards.

Melanie Crew and Ross Palmer seamlessly almost waltz into view once more, and on the back of their impressive E.P. Away From The City, and their enormous debut album Quiet After Midnight, the pair offer a continual drive of folk inspired passion in the release of Some Other Stories.

Stories, no matter in what form are the souls to which we must cling to, without them life is meaningless, robotic, a simulation driven by non-existent feelings and emotions. We need a constant addition to add to the spectrum of human endeavour and create a world where empathy is paramount, where compassion is not sought by sympathy, but identification; and to that the pair, who bonded over a simple recognition, have added a dynamic of truth to the world that cannot be denied.

The album introduces tales and memories, and with harmony in abundance they aid the listener in finding a mutual love, a kind of response to the world that is designed by people with calculating hearts to break us at every opportunity, and one delivered with soul.

Across tracks such as the openers Winning Ticket and Take A Picture the scene is set and is unveiled with humility and sensible persuasion, and as Our Captain Cried All Hands, Blindly Through The World, Count Down The Days, and Storm Rolling Through combine with subtly and finely balanced duality, what comes across is the fascination of the female and the male voice searching for a unity and succeeding with honour.

A wonderfully, enveloping, and perceptive recording, one that does huge credit to the pair, and holds a truth of storytelling that tenders the heart to the point of willing submission.

Ian D. Hall