Saturday July 25th, 2009

Amilia K. Spicer

Her voice is often described as haunting and ethereal, but it's the writing that really separates Amilia from the rest of the new generation of literary songwriters. Likened by one critic to a French chanteuse in a candle-lit cafe, her songs set a mood. They are intimate and visual, like walking into a movie. It's some kind of strange potion, but one that's perfect for that midnight ride with the windows down. There is an edge, a turbulence, in many of the places Amilia writes about, but not all of them. Her songwriting fuses together the different places she calls home- the languid textures of rural Pennsylvania, the swing and melody of Texas Americana, with the back alley bite of LA.

http://AmeliaSpicer.com

Saturday August 21, 2009

KING CURLY

It’s almost embarrassing how charmed I was by this band. They are weiiiiird, but in such an under-stated way it’s endearing. First, this Australian quartet sings about forlorn bumblebees and “coming back as a revenge song.” But they do it in such a Mr. Rogers meets Tiny Tim meets Jeff Buckley way that the sentimentality borders on the surreal. Any American or Brit doing this material would seem tongue-in-cheek, but I swear I think they mean it.

Secondly, the instrumentation (weird anachronistic box of a Ukulele, trombone, upright bass, electric guitar, and four, count them - 4 voices.) Now in America, this would seem like another band trying to one-up Dave Matthews by adding horns, so they can stand apart from the average (rock?) band. But it’s so second-nature to this act; and of course, they swap instruments too - and well.

But CDs are about songs. And this ensemble has them. Lofty melodies, “outside-the-lines” harmonies, and unusual lyrics that are literate and affecting. Seeing this group perform was a rejuvenating breath of fresh air, and the CD will remain a lasting treasure. “The Rise and Fall of King Curly”- it’s brilliant. Check out their dark and extremely well-done videos if you aren’t sold.

http://KingCurly.com