Albums to watch

The Deserters

Rachel Zeffira

The Deserters

Canadian classically-trained soprano and multi-instrumentalist, who was one half of Cat’s Eyes with Horrors frontman Faris Badwan, with a debut album of baroque pop

ADM rating[?]

6.8

Label
RAF
UK Release date
10/12/2012
US Release date
10/12/2012
  1. 9.0 |   BBC

    Unequivocally demanding of your attention, as accomplished as it is tummy-meltingly wonderful to listen to
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  2. 8.0 |   Mojo

    Wistful, orchestral pop debut recorded at Abbey Road. Print edition only

  3. 8.0 |   The Scotsman

    Her classical skills don’t go to waste
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  4. 8.0 |   DIY

    Establishes Rachel Zeffira as a musician of startling ability in her own right. It is an album that demands close attention but offers rich rewards aplenty
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  5. 8.0 |   The Observer

    A gorgeously immersive album
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  6. 8.0 |   The Fly

    Sparkles with understated beauty
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  7. 7.5 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    Zeffira is a thoroughly impressive talent, both in her vocal delivery and dexterous composition skills. That said, it doesn’t quite all come together here as a whole album
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  8. 7.2 |   Bowlegs

    An engaging debut, but lacking in memorability. It’s possible Zeffira is holding back, and a bit more drama and power in key spots would improve future efforts
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  9. 7.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    An attention-grabbing debut album from a unique and fascinating talent, who has more than demonstrated her validity and potential as a solo artist
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  10. 7.0 |   NME

    Much of the charm of The Deserters lies in the winter-blasted chime of Zeffira’s voice, and those frozen-hinterland soundscapes. There are, however, moments of unwanted waftiness
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  11. 6.3 |   Pitchfork

    A little more stylistic and structural variety could lead to something special
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  12. 6.0 |   The Irish Times

    Be it the thrilling Goodbye Divine, the wonderfully cast Here on In or the goth-groove that powers Break the Spell, Zeffira displays plenty of ideas throughout
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  13. 6.0 |   Art Rocker

    Although The Deserters feels a little bland and one dimensional in places there is no denying Rachel Zeffira’s raw talent
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  14. 6.0 |   The Independent

    It's all warmly wrought and pretty, if a trifle insubstantial at times
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  15. 6.0 |   Independent on Sunday

    It is a lush thing that, were we writing for a certain type of women’s mag, might have us reaching for words such as “candles” and “bubble bath”
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  16. 6.0 |   Q

    A couple of rocking tunes recalling her pals The Horroors aside, solo debut The Deserters largely takes things back to the orchestral source. Print edition only

  17. 5.0 |   Uncut

    Guests Toy do their best to push things forward, but their propulsive ways merely emphasise Zeffira's absent voice. Print edition only

  18. 5.0 |   PopMatters

    Such a talent can clearly do better
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Rachel Zeffira: The Deserters

  • Download full album for just £7.49
  • 1. The Deserters £0.99
  • 2. Here On In £0.99
  • 3. Letters From Tokyo (Sayonara) £0.99
  • 4. Front Door £0.99
  • 5. Break The Spell £0.99
  • 6. Silver City Days £0.99
  • 7. Star £0.99
  • 8. To Here Knows Where £0.99
  • 9. Waiting For Sylvia £0.99
  • 10. Goodbye Divine £0.99
  • Service provided by 7Digital

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