| CD REVIEW Carmen |
 |
|
Band : Carmen Formed during 2004 in Cheltenham (Midlands, UK), the trio of Alecx Cutter (surname of one Alex White, whom plays guitar, pianos and synth, and sings), Dean M. (bass) and Dean A. (drums) have been touring the club and pub circuit with their unique blend of emotional, Poppy Hard Rock and gentle soundscapes, using both traditional and electronic instruments. Along the way, the boys got "discovered" by the people at Casket/ Copro, who allowed the trio to take their time in pre-production during a large part of last year, and then had 'em record for two weeks in early October of last year at the label's Philia Studios under productional supervision of Nick Hemingway. Right from the get-go, you can hear that this is music that has been thought about: every note played has its justified place, nothing too fancy, and all done with the catchy melodies in mind first! The album opens with two completely guitar-driven songs, in a style which is remeniscent to the heavier antics of the Pop Rock-with-a-Punk-flavour likes of Weezer and consorts...but different due to Alecx' specific vocal signature. Then Alecx alternates his guitar play with some moody and catchy synth for "A Silent Anything" and the ensuing "Shallow Soul Face". No need toemphasize that this enhances the Pop sensibilities quite a bit, and in the case of the latter the combination of the synth tune (somewhat orchestral) with the somewhat dark lyrics make for a weird Gothic feel. For "Be My Forever" it's back to the Weezer-isms, but with a very nice touch of piano thrown in, and suddenly even seeing some "strings" come into the picture. The totally wacky thing is, the boys could well pull off playing this song in live conditions, as sóme synth sounds could easily be played by foot pedals (and I think of Rush as the best possible example of what's possible in that area), and the two (guitar and synth sounds) do not overlap each other that frequently. Different so for the ensuing "Low-Fi Real"...but again, that could easily be pulled off by foot pedals, as the synth incursions are easy enough. Easy, but ever so effective, man...and sóó earie, too! For "Shades Of Each", the electric guitar is exchanged for an acoustic one and most probably played by the bassist, or how else could the band then suddenly generate a sound in which both the acoustic guitar, the synth, and a subdued electic guitar exist together for some time in that song...just long enough for Alecx to change from his electric guitar to his synth for a somewhat more intricate ketboard part. In other words, a very, véry nice ballad indeed. "Of Here" startes off in the same mood, balladesque that is...and with acoustic guitar mixed with orchestral keys and subdued percussion...before it blasts off into a more energetic passage through the change to electric guitar. "Of Here" again starts off in a balladesque mood with calmer piano/ synth (orchestral) play before the electric guitar kicks in for a while with those foot-pedal steered synths in the back for a heavier passage. The modus operandi is repeated for another calmer passage, and then goes into a longer more electrified passage including a short bit of guitar "solo". But that ain't but halfway the 7:13 track, and the calmer mood (with great piano play) is returned to for a longer while. The ending of he track comes in heavier mode, with also place for a more-than-wonderful guitar solo while some piano (huh) is played as well. The finishing with keyboards only is simply to die for (and, ehr...somewhat remeniscent of the introductory notes of the Goldfinger James Bond tune)! Initially, "Sweet Odyssey" gives you the feeling the band is set to bring you yet another balladesque song, but 45 seconds into the song the guys suddenly go into a somewhat Presidents Of The United States exited mode, and then continues the song with varying intensities...but without the use of any piano or synth! The exited mode is completely back for the ensuing "In This Distance" with its slight Foo Fighters Stoner influences. Album closer "Your Advice" then, starts off calm enough, but then changes to a heavier mood with a couple of short and calmer, piano-driven, intrusions. Pffttt...I've eventually gone through the whole album for you, something which I didn't intend to do at first...but then that's how inspiration will lead one sometimes! Now surf to myspace.com/theoriginalcarmen to find out whether the above descriptions of the band's music correspond with the 4 songs posted there! I'm somewhat amazed at Casket taking this band on...but then they've done more nutty things like this, but if there's óne thing you cannot acuse these guys of, it's that they would not have a nose for upcoming talent...and in more than one way I can see a bright future ahead for this British outfit, providing they're willing to keep their shit together. Regretably, that will also include the necessity to signing to a major label for a more intense distribution and promotion...so I hope the band still get the time to grow a large enough fanbase to enable them to enforce "creative freedom" in their contracts! If you're not into Pop-sensitive Rock with an occasional Punky flavour and a héép of originality, you may not be into this band, but I simply lóve what they've done here, and that's why Angels And Dust is catapulted into that "Best Albums Of 2008"-list of mine! 98/100 Tony. |