Hidden Seam is Lisa Knapp's second album following on from 2008's Wild and Undaunted. Five years is a long time for Knapp's fans to wait for a follow up album. Was the wait worth it?

Apparently 'Shipping Song' exploits Knapp's fascination with the Met Office's somnambulant, poetic late night shipping forecast; it's strange and far-away sounding place names, Utsire, Viking, Fastnet and Lundy. A recording of American Marine sound testing from the 1950's was seamlessly sewn into the track, alongside the noises of sea creatures and spinning motors. Now, I listen to the shipping forecast most nights (my girlfriend's grandfather was in the Navy and taught her how to make sense of it all) and I have to say I really didn't make the connection until I read the press release. This is due in part to the fact that I couldn't focus on the lyrics as I was concentrating too much on how much Knapp was trying to sing like Björk. As if to highlight this point, in case the previous track was too subtle, 'Hidden Seam' sees Knapp channelling her hidden crazy with the inclusion of some weird yelping - hmm, interesting.

I listened to this album half a dozen times over several days and it didn't get any better. Knapp's voice, on occasion, is akin to hearing someone scratch their nails down a blackboard. Imagine, if you can, if Björk and the Cranberries joined forces... the resulting sound would be not unlike Knapp's output here.

'Black Horse' is a song by late English singer/songwriter, Lal Waterson, which Lisa was originally invited to perform on tour with Scottish singer and guitarist James Yorkston. Yorkston guests on this recording as does Waterson daughter, Marry Waterson. Martin Carthy, one of her musical heroes, accompanies Knapp on 'Two Ravens', a song about Alzheimers. 'Hunt The Hare Pt.1' features acclaimed Scottish folk musician, Alasdair Roberts and was originally based on the well-known Irish song 'Rocky Road to Dublin'.

Of this album's nine tracks (representing 41 min, 33 sec) 'Hushabye' was the only I would want to listen to again, without being forced to. No doubt Knapp's fans will lap this up, but personally it left me hoping that it will be more than five years until her next release.

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Nick Smithson