FULL REVIEW HERE

Having previously trodden a familiar and safe path recording music for Universal Classics and Jazz (the album "Bittersweet and Blue" springs to mind, a mixture of self-penned and standards), Herbert has opted to jump ship and record her own songs, keeping it real yet remaining interestingly independent throughout the process.
Because of this, Gwyneth Herbert doesn't really fit in anywhere, yet sounds like Laura Marling and Lissie, certainly not like Tom Waits, Steve Reich or Dresden Dolls as mentioned in the blurb. What you get on "Clangers and Mash" is a selection of mixes of radio-hit "Perfect Fit", a couple of "So Worn Out" and a trio of out-takes drawn from sessions with friends. It's all a bit of a mess.
Personally, three tracks would have sufficed here as a promotional tool - the radio mix of "Perfect Fit", a jolly little tune that has Radio 2 written all over it (nothing wrong with that, my scoffing readers), the lovely acapella reading of "Midnight Oil" and the squelchy rework of "So Worn Out" by Temper D (nope, me neither). These three alone display the full expanse of the Herbert repertoire without needing to cram 9 songs into a package.
Not that the rest are rubbish, because they're not - will the average sub-curious dabbling customer be attentive enough to swallow nine tracks these days? I'm not convinced. In fact the more I hear this EP, the more I think a Temper D edit of "So Worn Out" might serve a better purpose. Promising though.