Review in 'Classic Rock Society' magazine.

"This is a superb album from 'Maddy and the Girls' ' Abbie Lathe. Now concentrating on a solo career she has managed to blend her folk roots with a modern day Crow, Vega sound. It works wonderfully well.
Opening track New Year's Eve is a dreamy gentle beginning with Abbie's silky voice accompanied by acoustic guitar and programmed drums.
The muti-voice approach of Broken adds another dimension to her gentle side before Secret Communication with its funkier reggae beat and flute accompaniment has the feet tapping.
Suzanne Vega comes to mind on Therapy before Swallows " (Jon Fletcher), "a track that goes back to Abbie's folkier side. However track of the album for me is Lucky, a haunting track with its electronic back beat and, according to my son having a bit of Bjork about it!
I love Better Days with its varying pace and mix of the present and the past - Abbie really has got it right and there is much to admire!
Brilliant album for the open-minded listener that deserves much success - not too much though Abbie or we will lose you to the commercial treadmill machine!"

Martin Hudson


From Sandman magazine, Sheffield

Wow… what an absolute gem! I have to admit, this demo initially attracted me with its pretty pastel cover, a hand drawn picturesque summer scene. Now we’re always told not to ‘judge a book by its cover’ so I put aesthetics aside and listened to the demo. This is an impressive assortment of original folk songs all written and performed by Lathe. ‘Better days’ and ‘New Year’s Eve’ are undeniably the best on the demo for the clever poetic musings combined with warm piano notes, strings and flutes. Folk music is such a broad term its hard to fit Lathe under a specific umbrella. Imagine an ice cream sundae (stay with me here)… Traditional folk making up the base of the dessert with new age/Arthurian influences rippled throughout. Add a drizzle of Tori Amos and a few sprinklings of Kate Bush and Beth Orton and hey presto…a lyrically and musically outstanding album. I suggest you indulge!

Amy Barker
www.abbielathe.co.uk