If I was more of a cynic, and the sort of person who participates in blogs as a means of getting in a bit of sneaky product placement, I might have drawn on this album for my answer to Darcey’sDad’s music challenge. Owlet Music Vol.I is a recent compilation from the label run by Trwbador, a duo with whom I have a certain well-known affiliation, who contribute their Christmas song from last year; various of the tracks do seem to have a clear affinity with their style (lots of acoustic guitars, some electronic beats and an air of homespun eccentricity), and others clearly fall into their “well, we just liked it” category. Unfortunately my favourite wouldn’t have counted for the “you must own one track and one track only” challenge: Das Wonderlust get two bites of the cherry. You’re Only Young Once is almost as good as Swan Song – it’s more consistent for a start, whereas I loathe the spoken interlude in the latter with a fiery passion – but in the end, gloriously histrionic gothness wins the day. I hear echoes of Toyah’s Thunder in the Mountains, but then I’m old…
Of course, one of the major hazards of being a reviewer of a certain age, so to speak, is that everything tends to remind me of stuff I heard thirty years ago. Not necessarily in a bad way, but it might sound like that to someone else. I can’t think of any way of describing Francesca’s Word Salad‘s Something’s Missing in comparative terms (“a less contrived and commercial X”) that isn’t going to seem insulting, so let’s analyse the lyrics instead… “I’ve got three wheels on my tricycle… I’m an only twin…”: on the face of it a simple ditty about the fact that one’s life doesn’t feel complete without that special someone, but clearly the real message is (arguably) that, with a little raising of consciousness, you can realise that you actually have a perfectly serviceable bicycle, your parents’ undivided attention, and no arguments about what dvd to watch in the evening. This interpretation may be wishful thinking.
As for Super Cute Voices, they remind me of Pop Will Eat Itself. Which is a good thing.
The album is available on Spotify, if you want to discover the delights of Telefair, MeiMei and other artists who didn’t grab me enough to feature them here. I’ll leave you with Vera Gogh and Home Town, which feels sad and rather beautiful, as all songs about hometowns tend to be…
Mercy post, as this seems to be a casualty of the guitar battles. Liked Vera the best – very soothing voice. Rest need a few more listens to see if they grow on me more.
Just a quick post to say that I am planning to have a listen later – but have been feeling bad for not having commented yet. (Oh dear, this sounds like another pity post!) For the time being, I will have to content myself with saying that I love the cover pic. More anon.
PS I don’t even have the excuse of being distracted by guitar battles – a bit too “mine’s bigger than yours” willy-waving for me. Make synth love, not guitar war, I say.
I love the cover pic too – had a listen and then didn’t comment because small children got in the way – who was it advising gaffa tape? (joke)
Wow a reference to Toyah – haven’t heard her name since she was always getting in the way of setting up bands at the Salisbury art centre – see what you mean tho – not as peeved with the second intro as you obviously are – but it would grate after a few listens.. good after that.
I like your analysis of the next one – picks up after a fairly nondescript start.
Super Cute Voices are good in a messy way – have you heard Bearsuit?
and Vera has the kind of emotional softness that creeps into my mind and disturbs it a few days later – not so sure about the louder segments (a lot more normal) – but it works well in the track.
really good to champion new stuff on here – thanks Abahachi.
(is the pity subsiding yet?)
Das Wonderlust sounded great and somehow familiar, not sure why
dug the lyrics, but wasn’t so keen on the delivery of Francesca’s Word Salad,
Loved the chaotic spirit of Super Cute Voices and the upbeat but plaintive belting of Vera Gogh
I haven’t listened to the playlist yet, but the Christmas song by Trwbador on the playlist might have been my favorite of all, it was just gorgeous. If the other songs are in that vein, i really can’t wait to hear it.
Hm, Das Wonderlust don’t do it for me, I’m afraid – especially not the spoken-word interlude. *shudder*
Francesca’s Word Salad was just about saved by the lyric despite a slightly painful vocal, at least to begin with. Definitely picks up nicely from about 1:20. Reminded me a little of some of the Magnetic Fields’ work. Which is a compliment, btw.
Super Cute Voices are a fun old mess, aren’t they? Enjoyed that.
Vera very nice – another one that picked up nicely after 1:20. Probably my pick of the bunch.
If I was more of a cynic, and the sort of person who participates in blogs as a means of getting in a bit of sneaky product placement, I might have drawn on this album for my answer to Darcey’sDad’s music challenge. Owlet Music Vol.I is a recent compilation from the label run by Trwbador, a duo with whom I have a certain well-known affiliation, who contribute their Christmas song from last year; various of the tracks do seem to have a clear affinity with their style (lots of acoustic guitars, some electronic beats and an air of homespun eccentricity), and others clearly fall into their “well, we just liked it” category. Unfortunately my favourite wouldn’t have counted for the “you must own one track and one track only” challenge: Das Wonderlust get two bites of the cherry. You’re Only Young Once is almost as good as Swan Song – it’s more consistent for a start, whereas I loathe the spoken interlude in the latter with a fiery passion – but in the end, gloriously histrionic gothness wins the day. I hear echoes of Toyah’s Thunder in the Mountains, but then I’m old…
Mercy post, as this seems to be a casualty of the guitar battles. Liked Vera the best – very soothing voice. Rest need a few more listens to see if they grow on me more.
Thanks, Shoey. I think that’s one notch up from a ‘pity post’…
Just a quick post to say that I am planning to have a listen later – but have been feeling bad for not having commented yet. (Oh dear, this sounds like another pity post!) For the time being, I will have to content myself with saying that I love the cover pic. More anon.
PS I don’t even have the excuse of being distracted by guitar battles – a bit too “mine’s bigger than yours” willy-waving for me. Make synth love, not guitar war, I say.
I love the cover pic too – had a listen and then didn’t comment because small children got in the way – who was it advising gaffa tape? (joke)
Wow a reference to Toyah – haven’t heard her name since she was always getting in the way of setting up bands at the Salisbury art centre – see what you mean tho – not as peeved with the second intro as you obviously are – but it would grate after a few listens.. good after that.
I like your analysis of the next one – picks up after a fairly nondescript start.
Super Cute Voices are good in a messy way – have you heard Bearsuit?
and Vera has the kind of emotional softness that creeps into my mind and disturbs it a few days later – not so sure about the louder segments (a lot more normal) – but it works well in the track.
really good to champion new stuff on here – thanks Abahachi.
(is the pity subsiding yet?)
Das Wonderlust sounded great and somehow familiar, not sure why
dug the lyrics, but wasn’t so keen on the delivery of Francesca’s Word Salad,
Loved the chaotic spirit of Super Cute Voices and the upbeat but plaintive belting of Vera Gogh
Owlet Music website duly bookmarked, cheers Aba!
I haven’t listened to the playlist yet, but the Christmas song by Trwbador on the playlist might have been my favorite of all, it was just gorgeous. If the other songs are in that vein, i really can’t wait to hear it.
The ones I’ve chosen aren’t, I’m afraid…
But some of the stuff on their website *is* more in this vein, not least the ep from Trwbador themselves: http://owletmusic.com/
Hm, Das Wonderlust don’t do it for me, I’m afraid – especially not the spoken-word interlude. *shudder*
Francesca’s Word Salad was just about saved by the lyric despite a slightly painful vocal, at least to begin with. Definitely picks up nicely from about 1:20. Reminded me a little of some of the Magnetic Fields’ work. Which is a compliment, btw.
Super Cute Voices are a fun old mess, aren’t they? Enjoyed that.
Vera very nice – another one that picked up nicely after 1:20. Probably my pick of the bunch.