“Living Room,” the debut album of Naama Hillman is a pleasure. It’s one of those surprises that serve to remind you being a music critic is not such terrible work.
Hillman was born in Israel, spent some of her childhood years in the U.S., and in the last few years has resided in London with her husband, Israeli musician Ehud Ezer (“The Selfish Garden band”), who accompanies her on guitar on the album.
The debut album, sung in English, is without accent and sweeps you away from the first moment.
It’s not sophisticated or smart aleck music, but is a compilation of direct, catchy songs, - a style once called "soft rock."
This genre of music often slides into cliches but in Hillman’s case, the aggressive arrangements of the songs give them a gritty sound.
There’s an edginess that obliterates any sentimentality - and allows the songs to pierce the heart. And Hillman’s unique sound makes excellent use of her fragile yet extraordinary voice, which she takes to unusual places.
If you seek to compare her to other vocalists, think of a line drawn between Carole King, Tanita Tikaram, Natalie Merchant, Suzanne Vega and our own Anat Dimone.
Hillman, like these vocalists, brings a basket of talent to the music. She played guitar and piano and produced most of the album herself.
No doubt Hillman is a rare talent - not just because she is one of ours - but also by British music standards. On Monday she is appearing in a one-time only acoustic performance at the Zappa Club in Tel Aviv.
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