Exaltation of Larks
Exaltation of Larks, Dot Allison's first album since 2002's We Are Science, is a near-total overhaul for the Scottish singer/songwriter, who had been exploring a synthesis of artsy shoegazer pop and trip-hoppy electronica ever since her days as the leader of early-'90s Andrew Weatherall protégés One Dove.
'Exaltation Of Larks' wafts and waves in its lightness of touch, with Dot's voice full of ethereal wonder and sonics full of mystery and suspense...From fronting the post-club band One Dove and numerous collaborative projects to her name, including two Massive Attack world tours and Pete Doherty's 'Bilo Albion' tour, as well as lending her voice to Death In Vegas's immortal 'Dirge', Dot's third solo album 'Exaltation Of Larks' sidesteps the trip-electronic-pop and clubby background and pitches itself as a 'pre-psychedelic' album lounging in 'Pet Sounds' and 'Dusty In Memphis' influences, scoring opiated acoustic songs that bring to mind Mazzy Star and The Cowboy Junkies, with Dot's breathy vocals reminding of fellow Scot Liz Fraser.