Home > Baltimore Music > CD Review > KT Tunstall, "Drastic Fantastic"

Backstory: KT Tunstall went from unheralded Scottish folkie to international superstar in just a few years, thanks mainly to the massive popularity of the foot-stomping, “woo-hoo”-ing “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree.” The cover of her second album poses her as a glammed-up rock goddess, but the music inside doesn’t depart radically from the rootsy folk-pop that made her famous.

Why you should care: Because there’s more to Tunstall than just a few well-strummed guitar hooks and a pleasingly raspy voice. Her slick, superficial hit singles notwithstanding, Tunstall is a sophisticated singer-songwriter who mixes the moody introspection of Suzanne Vega or Beth Orton with the pop instincts of other crossover folkies like Dido and Jack Johnson.

Verdict: There’s a lot to enjoy on “Drastic Fantastic,” from the familiar hootenanny stomp of lead single “Hold On” to the sprightly jangle-pop of “Hopeless.” Tunstall hasn’t let success dampen her more offbeat impulses—darker tracks like “If Only” and “Beauty of Uncertainty” are filled with minor chords, and the album’s catchiest burst of guitar-pop, “I Don’t Want You Now,” features a brief kazoo solo. Only occasionally does the album’s slick production overwhelm Tunstall’s folksy charm and well-crafted melodies.

X-Factor: Speaking of Suzanne Vega, Tunstall contributed backing vocals to the veteran singer-songwriter’s well-received “Beauty and Crime” album, released earlier this year.

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