clickmusic – and so she thinks

One Eskimo – Kandi

admin — Mon, 30 May 2011 15:43:24 +0000

One Eskimo
Kandi
Release: Feb 2009
Imagine Damien Rice and Dido dressed as a pengiun, eskimo, giraffe and monkey singing a song co-written by Ronan Keating andMoloko if you will. No one can fault One EskimO of not being a creative concept, so how the ingenuity of Kristian Leontiou and his animated band making a stand against the obsession of image in the music industry has resulted in a track so similar to the rest of the Top 40 is a feat in itself.
The lyrics are inoffensive enough to get radio play, and children will love the characters playing out narratives, but since when has ‘for all the family’ been a term of praise for music? Trusting animated animals to be your vehicles for the goal of creating “magical, ambient, filmic, acoustic, beautiful and meaningful” music, asLeontiou stated in an interview with the Guardian, is nothing if not commendable.
The real magic on this single is that all five versions of ‘Kandi’ sound very different – the radio edit is dull, but the cicada club mix is perfect for blissing out at the end of a hedonistic night. So bypass the traditional route, and head straight for the after party. I guess that it’s just not One EskimO’s way to do things the conventional route.

http://www.clickmusic.com/singles/article/One-EskimO-Kandi

Ray Lamontagne – You Are The Best Thing

admin — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 09:49:12 +0000

The bearded family man has a knack for comforting vocals that feel like a cosy blanket, and bouncy beats.

Released 24 Feb 2009

Ba da da da dum. Wow what an opening, a brass ska riff makes the raspy vocals a surprise. Unlikely to make massive inroads into popular charts, there’s no denying Ray LaMontagne is a talented musician. The kind of song everyone will like, regardless of it not being cool in the slightest.
Ray LaMontagne is fast making a name as New Hampshire’s hottest new export. Not fitting the accepted demographic of hip new things, the bearded family man has a knack for comforting vocals that feel like a cosy blanket, and bouncy beats. An elegant yet fun song, Ray’s voice provides warmth.
It could have done without the female backing singers, but other than that, this is a affirmative soul stomper of a song. The song is more positive than some of his other tortured musings, and could see new fans being won. I just wish he would go back to the day job and make me some shoes as bright and exciting as this – there would sure be a spring in my step.
http://www.clickmusic.com/singles/article/Ray-LaMontagne-You-Are-The-Best-Thing

Polly Scattergood – Other Too Endless

admin — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:35:23 +0000

Polly Scattergood

Other Too Endless

Label: Mute
Release Date: 23/02/09
A graduate of the infamous Brit School, it would be possible to dump Polly Scattergood in with Adele, Lily, Kate and all her peers. Along with the story telling skills of her school cronies, Scattergood harks back to the 80s, just like Ladyhawke and La Roux, combining these styles with Kate Bush-eque snarls and whispers. Tapping into all the trends that are propelling female singers at the moment, Polly is well founded to go on and do well.
‘Other Too Endless’ manages to combine a multitude of elements to create a direct pop song that embeds itself in your brain, but I’m not sure it every reaches the soul. The disco beats from a cello, whispers and shouts, repetion of “die die die” followed by whispering ethereal questions, and the strict beat underneath a voice that occassionally sounds as though it is wobbling, breaking under emotion – it could so easily be a case of too many cooks spoil the broth, but actually creates a killer tune. Pulsing yet frail, ordinary yet spellbinding, dark yet delicate, Scattergood’s eclectic style is befitting of her name. This tight music interlaced with vulnerable lyrics conveys the image of a girl with insecurities who needs to keep going, keep her strong front on.
http://www.clickmusic.com/singles/article/Polly-Scattergood-Other-Too-Endless