Album Review - Stephen Fretwell - Magpie

On his first, full-length outing Magpie, Stephen Fretwell invokes the 
usual array of influences that currently are dominating the British 
music scene: the subdued, introspective warmth of Damien Rice; the sad, 
melodic beauty of Nick Drake; and the impassioned folk-pop of both 
Coldplay and Travis.  Yet, Fretwell does more than merely mimic what has 
come before him.  The album's intimate aura permits every crackle and 
pop that springs from the material's emotional fire to resonate fully, 
and although, in crafting Magpie, Fretwell didn't stumble upon anything 
new, he still managed to deliver a promising debut that more often than 
not is heartbreakingly lovely.

This is an excerpt.  To read the complete review, please visit:

http://www.musicbox-online.com/reviews-2006/sf-magpie.html