Spark Magazine – 11th November 2011

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Once you get over the initial conundrum that this particular CD presents (who is Tommy and what happened to the other five sixths?) it is difficult not to enjoy this album. The female trio create a mellow innocent, and at times haunting sound; distinctively British and youthful. It is a rarity to discover tree nineteen year old girls who write, sing and who formed without the ‘help’ of Simon Cowell, and their music is distinguished by it’s obvious connection between the band mates.

Influences such as Bon Iver and Bright Eyes are clearly present but One Sixth Of Tommy manage to balance a familiar style with their own unique spin. Care About It starts with flawless harmonies, a beautiful acoustic melody, and the tasteful inclusion of a keyboard brings the seaside sun to a dreary November Reading (an achievement by all accounts). The next few slowly retreat into dreamy graceful pop ballads, with a slight folk influence on occasion. A particular favourite is Cotton Pockets, the girls’ youth is employed to their advantage, as they perfectly capture the uneasy nerves and simultaneous joy of falling in love for the first time, repeating ‘would it be alright if I held your hand tonight’, with a simple but effective keyboard instrumental.

However, just as you become familiar with the girls distinctive rural sound, it seems to get a bit lost. Not Listening, with the percussion that is much more heavily present, sees the acoustic vibe dissolving into an almost American pop tract, reminiscent of Miley Cyrus, and my heart sinks. The youthful innocence slips into immaturity even more so with The Pact and attempts to diversify seem to have backfired slightly, as they lose the British folk vibe which distinguished the first half of their album.

Thankfully, the girls revert to their original sound once more, and I’m Still Yours welcomes the return of what there is to love about the first half of the album; understated acoustic bliss. The guitar melody really retreats and the girls’ soft, but strong vocals because the focus, arguably the most distinctive and successful on the album.

One Sixth Of Tommy have created a sound that is easy to listen to, but memorable enough, well formed and recognisable for it’s British charm. Like any debut song experimentation does not fit with their sound, but is admirable none the less. Fresh and uplifting, One Sixth Of Tommy is most certainly in my head. – Becky Cromie