photo by Solve Sundsbo
Like many models before her, Karen Elson is trying to add some hyphens to her job title. Her successful modeling career all started when she agreed to shave her eyebrows and dye her hair red for Mario Testino, landing her on the cover of Vogue. That decision translated into her signature look: fiery tresses that perfectly contrasts her porcelain pale skin. From there she's walked many a runway, starred in countless campaigns (including Louis Vuitton's Fall 2010 campaign) and earned her the elusive title of super model.
Along the way she's of course garnered many fans including one White Stripe. It's no surprise that being Mrs. Jack White has had an impact on her solo career. This English-born beauty has dabbled in the music industry for awhile, contributing to cabaret acts and collaborating with Robert Plant and Cat Power. Now with a family in toe, Elson is ready to break out on her own.
Released in June, Elson's first album was produced by White, recorded in Nashville and already gaining indie cred. Her voice is surprisingly rich and emotional with just a hint of country twang, amplified by the slightly gritty and old school southern rock influences.
You can definitely hear White's presence on the album, but Elson is the main attraction. She has a limited vocal range, but the arrangements make up for her short comings with marching drum beats, elusive harmonies and accordian riffs layered in the background. The inclusion of jaunty pianos and fiddles hint at a bygone carnival on "100 Years From Now." The album opens with one of its strongest tracks, "The Ghost Who Walks," a sexy and catchy 70's drenched plea that also personifies the album's artwork.
The album switches gears part way through, trading country carnival for Bonnaroo, taking its bygone influences and translating them for a modern crowd. While it loses some of its charm in later songs, this experimenting gives Elson somewhere to go on future tries.
By creating a credible first album, Elson has not only added musician to her resume but made her audience forget her modeling background all together, allowing her music to stand for itself.
