When a pop songwriter claims her tunes were inspired by "a Chopin motif, from his waltz in C minor", she merits investigation. It would be nice to think that Rachel Fuller's erudite approach was what landed her a deal, rather than her being Pete Townshend's girlfriend. But her debut provides reason to believe that, Chopin or no, her connections not only opened doors but shot her through them.
Cigarettes and Housework is the kind of wan, "confessional" outpouring that flags "emotional honesty" as its leading virtue. No - most of the time, dishonesty plus punchier tunes would have been a much better route. Into My Heart, enhanced by Townshend's ragged guitar, is the only one that departs from the album's piano-based frailty, apart from Around This Table, which stars a wickedly twangy Jerry Hall. The latter effectively steals the show with a bitter anti-Jagger rap that provides a welcome counterpoint to Fuller's tremulous vocals. Elsewhere - well, it's all deeply felt, but so diffident.