Labels: Fire
Review by: Tom Sloan
Mmm, today’s things I’m reviewing seem to be characterised by being music I would never usually listen to but for some reason am quite enjoying, Delicate AWOL especially. I should start by saying I know absolutely nothing about this kind of music, so if you do, I’m sorry being a relatively crap guide to whether this is something you should check out. For the rest of us in whom chilled out, jazz influenced electronica is something quite alien, I hope the fact I really like this record is weightier recommendation.
The first track (one that I on receiving the stuff for review gave a quick listen before tossing the c.d. aside for 2 weeks) is a relatively simple instrumental track carried along by a jazzy bass line and jangly keyboards. In many ways it is a less than auspicious start, but on further listens, within the context of the whole album it evolves into the perfect atmospheric prelude for what is to follow.
The rest of the album is commendably varied and on frequent occasions is absolutely blissfully surprising. Vocals are used sparingly, and yet are pretty much the perfect foil for the dulcet tones surrounding them. At that, they are beautifully sung, by a female vocalist, – soft and soothing, their delicacy totally relaxing to tired ears. Tracks four and five harmonise and float effortlessly along, and I’m still pretty much in disbelief at how good I’m finding the whole thing.
One of the most commendable things about this album is its instrumentation. The band, group “” whatever – seem to have found an immaculate balance to their sound, with bass, guitars, horns and vocals accompanying the artificial sounds immaculately. Don’t get me wrong, it’s all quite minimalist at times, but distorted guitar and meandering horns take this is in directions that somehow prevent it from becoming boring on all but a couple of occasions.
Only for a few sparse moments does this become the kind of trite coffee-table nothingness that would bore you to death on a trip to starbucks, (the last couple of songs seem to lose their way slightly) For the rest of the time we are presented with a mix of genuinely beautiful soundscapes (the lovely strings and acoustic guitar on track 8, for example) and a creditably avant-garde feel to latter sections of songs.
Suffice to say, I really enjoyed this album, and am genuinely glad I own it for those times when putting on almost anything else in my music collection seems like too much effort. You know when you look through your cd’s and don’t feel particularly compelled to listen to anything? That’s when this music just seems like the most convenient thing in the world, and I mean that in the most flatteringly way possible. The fact I am unfamiliar with the genre may tarnish this review for anyone in Delicate AWOL, in the unlikely event of them reading this, when on the contrary, me appreciating it should come as a great compliment. I’m pretty shocked that I’ve given this such a good review”¦nice one.