Tracy Chapman: Tracy Chapman (Elektra)
Len Brown, New Musical Express, April 1988
SHE COMES from the wilderness, as prophesised, with a voice like molasses, hair like an ink blot and a heartful of tears. She comes with decent references (Maniacs, Stipe), solid comparisons (Armatrading, Mitchell, Vega), and a whirlwind reputation for chilling songs about racism, broken romance and revolution. "Poor people gonna rise up/And get their share".
Total word count of piece: 358