Beth OrtonDaybreakerReview

With her third album Beth Orton moves from her folkier roots to a more mainstream sound. As the drumbeat kicks in echoes of Dido come to the fore: is Orton heading for the same commercial market? If you really enjoyed her last two albums however don't be put off by the poppier start as she does return to more familiarform later on.

In fact this album also sees Orton heading off into a few other directions. She dons a Stetson cowboy haton "Concrete Sky" and "God's Song" with Ryan Adams (who is also credited for 'foot stomping') and Emmylou Harris guesting respectively. Title track "Daybreaker" however is nowhere near a Nashville number. I've got a strong feeling that this is the track that the Chemical Brothers got their hands dirty with. Orton appeared on their last album and here they return the favour with one of the album'sstrongest tracks. It's going to be her next single so expect to hear the remixes in the clubsverysoon.

This journey through different genres showcases the versatility of her voice, however the songs Orton excels on are the more acoustic ones where she still manages to tug at the heart-strings. One such track is "This One's Gonna Bruise" which will appeal to those who loved her version of Ellie Greenwich's "I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine" on Trailer Park.

The album is a real team effort with a long list of credits citing some familiar names, including ones from previous albums. The collaborators bring their regular trademarks; for instance William Orbit peppers the album with some of his ethereal sound effects. Ben Watt also reappears as the other vocal producer which seems a natural choice as Orton's voice does share resemblances with his Everything But The Girl partnerTracey Thorn.

With Daybreaker Orton may lose some of her hip credibility, and former fans who preferred her more stripped-down sound, but I'm betting it's going to earn her some new listeners. It's certainly grown on me.