Sharing music is easier than ever before…. So here’s a chance for you to check out one of the albums I purchased today; AM‘s wonderful “Side by Side – Duets, vol. 1“. I love duets that aren’t cheesy. Included are covers of “I’ll Be Your Mirror” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”.
AM is one of those thesixtyone discoveries. Like what you hear? Check out 3 additional acoustic versions here. I ended up buying “Future Sons & Daughters” as well.
This was reposted in its original form during the launch of the new WordPress blog in October 2009. Original comments made to this post back in the day (if any) are reposted at the bottom.
These guys were completely unknown to me until I ordered a CD from CD Baby and got “Invisible Hand” recommended to me. I immediately went looking for some tracks to preview because I simply can’t stay away from the prospect of getting to know something new and great. 30 seconds later I had no doubts whatsoever.
Once in a while an album will seem like it appeared out of the blue and hit you like no other. Leave you with a smile on your face, your day just a little bit better, and fill you with a hope that you’ll never ever grow tired of this magnificent album. “Invisible Hand” did that to me.
Hard to pin, Fictionist walk the fine line between pop and rock where no genre tag is even needed. The highlight is without doubt the guitar work. Some brilliant work that provides hooks for just about all of the tracks, making them recognizable but not tiring. The kind that saves tracks from becoming “just another pop/rock song”. Beautiful solos of the ethereal kind, small riffs that carry the different portions of the song or add an extra element to the building vocals. I have a soft spot for build-ups and this album is packed with them. The kind that will leave you wondering when it will take off, and somehow end up taking you by surprise once they do.
Album opener “Noisy Birds” is definitely one of the highlights. It’s the kind of song that travels all over the place in terms of mood and tempo, which is sure to keep it lasting for a long time. You want to be there for the ride, which is why it’s the perfect beginner.
Songs like “Tightrope Hill”, “Nowhere to Go”, “Lovers Past”, and somewhat “Uptight” take the more standard approach to pop/rock. On “Tightrope Hill” dullness is avoided thanks to a catchy bass line and shivering guitars, while “Nowhere to Go” sets the mood and carries you along all the way to the excellent turn of events around the 4 minute mark. After that you really have nowhere to go.
“Fist” keeps you on your toes throughout the first 3 minutes by changing pace numerous times, until it finally explodes after a last failed attempt at making you believe it never will. All the elements that make up a good rock tune is somehow magically put into this song.
The vocals are never excessive, always adding to the perfect blend of melodies – it drives the tracks just as much as the guitars, and the absence of vocals is especially apparent on “Wakes” which is the only weak spot on this album, although a somewhat fitting prologue to the grand finale. Album closer “Song For B” does the opposite and sets off into a ethereal whirl of sound not heard since Pink Floyd. The only appropriate ending for such an album. If not just to celebrate the guitar.
In other words it’s all about the perfect blend. Mix that with a skilled group of musicians truly good at their craft, and you’ve got a recipe for success. It’s only a matter of time. If you’re going to buy one album in the first 6 months of 2009 let this be the one. I predict this will be the gem that will send shivers down my spine when I accidentally come across it in my collection in ten years (if I’ve managed to push it that far back in my brain by then).
Head over to CD Baby and order yourself a copy, after you’ve listened to some tracks on myspace.
Diana wrote:
I couldn’t agree more! Fantastic CD.
Brit wrote:
You said it perfectly. I have fallen in love with this CD and can’t wait to see what this band does next…
This was reposted in its original form during the launch of the new WordPress blog in October 2009. Original comments made to this post back in the day (if any) are reposted at the bottom.
I rarely find an album that I can’t seem to let go of. The kind that just won’t be forgotten or replaced by the latest similarity. “Knives Don’t Have Your Back” has however been in my CD-player, mp3-player, and on my winamp every single day since I bought it (or perhaps a few days before…). I just can’t resist to mention it as something else than just a recommendation. I know this album will continue to be played, and some day end up as one of those albums I look at in my CD shelf and smile before I reach for it to play it another time.
It starts with perfection. The CD cover and booklet whispers a plead to be picked up and browsed, and it stands out by being classical in an otherwise messy world. My love for Emily’s voice has been known for a while, and doesn’t really need further explanation, but I will say this; She brings out the best in it on this record. Intimate and at times painfully stripped, her voice comes to the foreground and is given time to shine. Sometimes backed by strings and horns, which doesn’t just act as the bricks that hold it all together and prevent Emily from revealing too much, but also help bring Emily’s voice out to us. The lyrics is however what carries the album, and since they are delivered with one of the best female voices right now the music more or less acts as a bonus.
There’s tales of life on the road, society’s way of dealing with the issues society itself created, being a person in need of finding its place, and tales of lost love without covering it in clichés. Emily Haines is good at creating single lines that makes some sort of impression. The ones that make you go “How did she come up with that?”. I wonder if we’ll have people going around talking about “sexual suicide” sometime soon. If she can’t do that, she’ll drop a few wise words around, such as “To thyself be true” (Detective Daughter) or “Bros before hos is a rule read the guidelines” (The Maid Needs a Maid). There’s something to relate to for just about anyone, if the opportunity is taken. It’s not necessarily a sad album, because while it reflects the downsides of spending most of your life between the things you can’t grasp because they disappear too quickly, she manages to maintain a certain gratitude for given the opportunity to do just that. You fall down, write a song about it, but the song is equally about the process of getting back up. What’s sad about that?
It’s hard to pick a favorite track, if not impossible. With that said, there’s not a single bad track on this album, and if you like one of them you’ll probably end up loving them all, simply because this is the kind of album you play from start to finish. The same way Emily likes to perform them. Keep both ears open while listening to “Doctor Blind”, “Mostly Waving”, and “Winning” however.
“Knives” is the classic example of a successful solo release from an artist known as being a part of a group, and being very successful in that context. From kicking and screaming on stage, to a mellow and relaxing evening in front of the piano doesn’t necessarily work. Emily can most definitely do both, and that’s unfortunately a pretty rare thing. Especially when both attempts are equally successful.
If you plan to be in North America in January you might also be interested in knowing that some new tour dates were announced last week. Even though I’m jealous as hell, I wouldn’t want anyone to miss out.
Jan 04 Montreal – Outremont
Jan 05 Ottawa – Bronson Centre
Jan 06 Toronto – The Danforth Music Hall
Jan 07 Philadelphia – First Unitarian Church
Jan 08 Boston – Paradise
Jan 09 NYC – Hiro Ballroom
Jan 10 Washington, DC – 9:30 Room
Jan 11 Detroit – Magic Bag
Jan 12 Chicago – Lakeshore Theater
Jan 13 Minneapolis – The Varsirty
Jan 14 Winnipeg – Garrick Theatre
Jan 16 Calgary – The Grand Theatre
Jan 17 Edmonton – The Citadel Theatre
Jan 18 Vancouver – Commodore Ballroom
Jan 19 Portland – Douglas Fir
Jan 20 Seattle – Crocodile Cafe
Jan 22 San Francisco – GAMH
Jan 23 LA – El Rey
Visit Emily Haines & the Soft Skeleton‘s official site, or try myspace.
(Buy @ Amazon | Buy @ iTunes)
roark wrote:
I was thinking about going…although its really in the sanctuary of the church. Site looks good BTW.
I expect a full report if you go!