Wintersleep - Untitled (February 15, 2005)

There has been a lot of fuss around the recent releases by artists like Arctic Monkeys, Modest Mouse, Florence + the Machine and such. Basically, that's all I've been hearning about in the last couple of months and I was literally bombed by all the new songs, changes of sound and image, debutes (...) . Therefore I decided to go back to 2005 and reminisce the Wintersleep's untitled album. Summer's ending in a couple of weeks, and soon it will be time to dig out our autumn coats, scarves and mittens and prepare for "dark" evenings with a mug of hot tea or cocoa (don't you just love it? :)). But to fully get the atmosphere of what I'm talking about you, of course, need the right tunes. And that's when turning on Wintersleep is essential!

The four-piece indie rock band came to life in 2001 in the Canadian city of Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia (so much info in one sentence!) and the album I'd love to tell you about was released 4 years later on 15 February. I'm not going to ramble on about their other releases, lables and band members, not to bore you to death.Ok, what's so special about the CD? I found a quote that perfectly matches my impressions:

"Ambitious and remarkably accessible. Not since Eric's Trip has a Canadian band managed to so successfully combine music that's both head-smashingly heavy and heart-achingly delicate."

(FFWD, Calgary)

Whoever said this expressed my thoughts a hundred times better than I would ever do. There are lots of different sounds on that CD, but they are kept in one sort of (this may sound stupid, but that's what it reminds me of) cinammon-tea-in-a-candlelit-room atmosphere. Paul Murphy's voice makes you want to lie down on a soft bed, close your eyes and just listen to it with a face of delight, but when Loel Campbell enters you get immediatly woken up by his his sharp percussion. Not forgetting about the guitar... oh, it's amazing! Once it's beautiful and delicate just to turn into breath-takingly heavy guitar riffs. The lyrics are simple, yet beautiful. And when Paul sings them... it just make you want to cry (in a positive way, of course). The real highlights of the album are "Jaws of Life", "Danse Macabre" and "Nerves Normal, Breath Normal". I love the drums in the first song I mentioned. It's a nice change of pace after "Lipstick", which opens the album. "Danse Macabre" is probably the heaviest of the songs listed on the "Untitled" and it makes me want to sing along. "Nerves Normal, Breath Normal" is quite long, but somehow doesn't bore me at all. It's perfectly balanced and calm.

Track list:

1."Lipstick"

2."Jaws of Life"

3."Insomnia"

4."Nerves Normal, Breath Normal"

5."Faithful Guide"

6."Danse Macabre"

7."Fog"

8."Listen (Listen, Listen)"

9."Migration"

10."A Long Flight"

11."People Talk"

Generally, the album is very mature and natural in comparison to band's previous self-titled release of 2003... and the cover art kicks ass! Ah, now, as I told you about the band I can sleep soundly. Feel free to check them out! :)

Pszyk xx

Zemfira - Vendetta (March 1, 2005)

What do we know about Zemfira? This is one of the leading Russian rock bands which was formed in the middle of 90-s by a young, aggressive, cynical but in its own way charming girl (the band was named by her name). In the first period her songs were a little bit simple but urgent. She was singing about A.I.D.S., teenage sexuality, neighbors killing and of course about love. Mounting all that with a pretty interesting arrangement and unique singing style Zemfira soon grew very popular. Anyway let’s not particularize band’s formation. I will just say that Zemfira is a type of artist that projects all her musical and emotional growth into the creation. Exactly that we can see in the album Vendetta.

The first track Небомореоблака (Skyseaclouds) already impresses with its heavy riff sound which makes you concentrate on the music. The song by itself is a protest! Protest against commerce, globalization, prostitution and all the scum that filled 21-th century. By it’s stylistics that song is alone in the album. The next track Дыши (Breathe) sounds more British. By the way in the album brit and alternative (i mean more Radiohead-like sound (especially pay attention to the beginning of the track Повесица (Hang Oneself))) dominates which I think is great :)! Among these are Итоги (Resume) and Так И Оставим (Leave As It Is). There are more pure rock’n’roll songs in the album like Дай Мне Руку (Give Me A Hand) and Малыш (Baby). The last one IMHO is a masterpiece not only in this album but even for all Zemfira’s works.
Thus let’s switch to another emotional side of this album. The song Блюз (Blues) which became a single with it’s post-blues sound can be listened literally at one breath and if you close your eyes in the rhythm moment you’ll feel how your body rises up and tries to fly away. It’s incredible! So, lets fly on… Друг (Friend), Жужа (Juja), Красота (Beauty), Самолет (Airplane) tracks captivate with their depressing beautiful mood. Here where you can see Zemfira naked! Yes, exactly, naked! And realize how the girl has grown up. All this sincerity and frankness harmonize with nontraditional arrangements and great work of not only musicians, but the sound engineer as well!
The album ends with surrealistic and melancholic track Jim Beam with it’s original drums and guitar sequence.
At the end of all I’ll say that this album is very original, full of contrast, beauty, frankness and claims to the highest praises!

P.S.
Highly recommended to enjoy this album lying or riding in a car (advisable in the night)

Best wishes, Zepp London