Pairdown – Holykyle
There’s something of a plain quality to this record. It’s very straightforward, and the delivery is pretty unadorned with straining or flourish.
Stylistically, it’s a largely acoustic indie album, layered with vocal harmonies which strive more to create depth and nuance than to soar or dance. The acoustic guitar is meanderingly plucked throughout, occasionally hinting at the insistent pace of the Dodos, but never quite going that far. More usually, there’s an interplay between pick and strum much the same as the one between the vocals; one which creates a good depth of sound without ever feeling the need to do anything very complicated.
Drums and a little bass fill out songs here and there, but for the most part they are played with restraint, more to give a foundation than to take a front seat. This, I suppose, not a surprise, given that the band is for the most part a collaboration between two musicians: David Leicht and Raymond Morin.
Needless to say, this kind of writing depends heavily on finding a vocal melody, or a simple guitar hook, or a more long-term rhythmic signature in order to pick the individual songs out from their neighbours. I wouldn’t definitely say that this always happens here, but for the most part it’s pretty successful. There is something of a lull in the middle, where I found songs like Three Coat and Spotted Eye kind of slipping by unremarked. However, just as you think they may have run out of ideas, Burning Up a Winning Ticket and Soon You Will Flourish as a Caterer put that notion gently but firmly to bed, giving the album a very strong finish.
Because the sound is far from something you’ll never have heard before it may take a little while for this album to sink in properly. I’ve listened to it a good dozen times or so before writing this review, and it’s only the last handful of times through that I think I’ve started to really appreciate it. So take your time with this record and you should find more than enough to reward your patience because it is, unobtrusively, a really good album.
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Pairdown – Soon You Will Flourish as a Caterer
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I really, really enjoyed these two tunes; but are they missing something?
Perhaps they’d be better if the singers put on some sort of funny accent, perhaps a Dick Van Dyke cockney or even the classic Laurence Olivier as Hamlet. Maybe they’d sound better with an asthmatic baboon on backing vocals.
But no, you know, on second thoughts they’re probably just fine as they are.
Well you make a fair point, but I wasn’t dissing their quality, just pointing out that such plain vanilla music might be a harder sell than if it had some bells or whistles, irrespective of quality. It certainly doesn’t need it though, no disagreement there.
No! I’m not having that! I wound you up good and proper there – the least you can do is have the decency to bite!
How dare you pretend to disagree with me but not really and generally come on this website talking random pish unlike the in-depth insight all the rest of us offer you leek-gargling Welsh cunt?
Better?
Yes, much better. Thanks.
leek gargling welsh cunt. genius!
I’m certainly all of those things from time to time, Euan, thanks.
but mainly just a cunt
That’s a bit mean.
maybe
Loving that John Fahey guitar on Holykyle.
It’s a good album, C&B. As I said above, there’s something very Plain Jane about it which might mean it’s a tough sell for some people, but once I’d taken the time to become familiar with it I really enjoyed it.
I like the fact that, when they’ve brought in a little embellishment to fill out the sound, they’ve done it with tremendous restraint, too. Really nicely done.
For example; anyone living in 16th Century England.
I’m sorry, I really should let that go now.
Or start a new blog – something with a title vaguely referring to an infinite number of monkeys, perhaps.
second track sounds like felice brothers, only the vocals are less wobbly and the lyrics aren’t crap. i like it.
Reminds me a little of early James Orr Complex stuff. Nothing at all wrong with solid songwriting.