She Keeps Bees - Minisink Hotel
Artist: She Keeps Bees
Album: Minisink Hotel
Label: n/a
Soulful double-tracked vocals, cavernous reverb, vague but intriguing lyrics, pared-down bluesy orchestration: She Keeps Bees has definitely tuned into what is the current trend in female singer-songwriters. At times I hear too much Cat Power, Feist, Neko Case, or Lucinda Williams (in descending order). It makes me cringe a little, and I have been hesitant to discuss this album because of that derivative air. I’ve been returning to it too much, though, for me to keep holding back. She Keeps Bees may be playing a familiar note, but they play it well, and I am excited to hear what they are doing next (a new album, apparently, is coming in August).
She Keeps Bees – “Revival”
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In trying to describe the feel of this song, I can do little more than: slow, beautiful funeral procession. Let that not creep you out. I love the dancing piano piece over the slower piano beat. The handclaps. The soaring vocals. All of these elements keep me coming back to this song.
She Keeps Bees – “Stand Where I Can See You”
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One of the more upbeat tracks from the album, this song may be less atmospheric than “Revival,” but I think as the first track it sets the tone of the album well. The singer has learned the current vocal style well, pushing every other syllable into a reverb (which I much prefer to melisma, though fun to make fun of).
I’m excited to hear the new album. If you want to hear more, check out the band’s site, look at their myspace, and buy their album.
Filed under soulful, vocal driven | Comment (1)Hercules and Love Affair - s/t
Artist: Hercules and Love Affair
Album: Hercules and Love Affair
Label: Mute, EMI
Will the world look back on Hercules and Love Affair like it now looks back on most expressively gay performers? People, for example, say Culture Club was a fun band, but does anyone take Boy George seriously (or at least think he isn’t nuts)? Jermaine Stewart? The Village People? Klaus Nomi? Perhaps if Hercules and Love Affair play more glam and less disco, more Brian Ferry and less Sylvester, they’ll be in the clear. Or perhaps, as lead songwriter Andrew Butler wishes, we shall embrace flamboyance, gender-bending, and disco as legitimate forms of art (and not novelties). We shall see.
What’s my immediate take on the tracks? I think this is the perfect album to bring back slow-jam dancing, and I guess that is good. Take a listen for yourself:
Hercules and Love Affair - “Raise Me Up”
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Imagine a more sophisticated Sylvester doing an impression of Nina Simone. Add better production and simpler orchestration. Shake well with ice. Serve with lemon zest garnish.
Hercules and Love Affair - “Hercules Theme”
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Crawling disco croons with a little Boy George and Italo disco thrown in for extra fun. One thing I will say is that Hercules and Love Affair do end their songs really well. Check out the boiling, layered horns at the finish of this track.
Check out the band site, watch their videos, and buy the album if you think it’s your new jam.
Filed under electronic, funky, new album, party, retro-novelty, vocal driven | Comment (0)Jamie Lidell - Jim
Artist: Jamie Lidell
Title: Jim
Label: Warp
In the world of dark-haired, soulful white boys Jamie Lidell is, to me, the most satisfying. A balanced eccentricity, a controlled and impressive voice, and live shows that match the ginger of his records make him an artist to enjoy and pay attention to.
Jamie Lidell - “Little Bit of Feel Good”
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I would say derivative if I didn’t feel such joy coming through his voice. Instead, I’ll say he is heavily influenced by American soul music and inner-city funk and pop. This is a simple, lovely song with a great band. You can stay right on the surface with his fun lyrics and soulful voice; you can also hear the really good music underneath, bobbing and balanced with percussion, horns, and synth elements hopping in harmony.
Jamie Lidell - “Hurricane”
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More rocky and driven than the bobbing song above, “Hurricane” exudes the energy of a song right out of The Commitments.
For more info on the Jamie Lidell phenomenon, check out his official site here. There is also an extensive interview with Jamie on The Believer website, written during the tour for his last major album Multiply. You can also buy his album.
Filed under new album, soulful, vocal driven | Comment (0)