Word: vocalists
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...Look Me in the Eye Sister” is one of the album’s true gems. An understated rock song, its heavy guitar riff is punctuated with a bristling synth energy that climbs toward a rousing climax, successfully exploiting the sultry, dulcet tones of guest vocalist Jess Larrabee. The album contains many such collaborations, which successfully harness the youthful musical energy of a diverse range of artists, including Nick Littlemore from Empire of the Sun, and British pop superstar Will Young...
...second album from These New Puritans (TNP), “Hidden,” is an audacious break from the somewhat-restrained alternative rock of their debut, 2008’s “Beat Pyramid,” as Barnett, the group’s songwriter and vocalist, becomes the conductor of a full-blown operatic rock album. The term “operatic” conjures images of perfected, grandiose voices, melodramatic gestures and conventional melodies. But “Hidden” is no “Madame Butterfly.” The grimy rhythms and ritualistic...
...their newest album, “The Courage of Others,” Texas band Midlake strays from the energetic alternative rock of previous releases towards a folk-inspired, pastoral sound. Lead vocalist and songwriter Tim Smith attempts to conjure a wintry atmosphere with delicate acoustic guitar and lyrics about cycles of death and rebirth. Unfortunately, while he does manage to capture a sense of stillness and bleakness, there is no suggestion of spring to come, and the gloomy minor key sustained throughout leaves the listener wanting to hibernate rather than go for a romp in the snow...
...echoing synth lines and breathy vocals throughout prove that Annie isn’t ashamed of her distinctly ’80s-throwback sound. Instead, she triumphantly embraces it—from hairstyle ondown. And with music this striking and a vocalist this endearing, the kitsch is nearly irresistible. Among a slew of recent ’80s pop revivalists, Annie simply does it better than the rest...
...Young Blood” also stands out as an example of a successful experiment; Jones balances heavier electronics with a simple drumbeat. The powerful melody, hearkening back to the best of U2 or Coldplay, is refreshing for a jazz vocalist, but it’s hard not to wonder if Jones could do the song better in her own acoustic way. The same goes for “Light as a Feather,” which comes off as a compelling tune with a worrying background whine...