collaboration

Hadestown

admin — Fri, 28 May 2010 16:01:00 +0000

Before reviewing the album, I have to admit, Ani Difranco and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, who are both major contributors to the project, definitely rake up the most counts on my iTunes top played lists. Bias.

That said however, Anaïs Mitchell’s folk opera Hadestown is a masterful album in its own right, originally beginning in 2006 as a live show that toured New England with a cast of twenty-two performers. The show, and now complete album, is an impressive Americana retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice that evokes a feel of Depression-era America and a doomed future in which all desperately seek to preserve their power, freedom, and riches.

Researching the mythical story a bit so I could understand the compelling narration of the album, I found that it is a love story about Orpheus, a poet who swayed Hades with his beautiful music to bring back his beloved Eurydice from the underworld. As I already alluded to, Mitchell’s ambitious, bold, fourth album is a collaborative project, with the lead singer of Bon Iver as Orpheus (my all-time favorite), Ani DiFranco as Persephone (the strong-willed wife of Hades), Greg Brown as Hades ("king of the kingdom of dirt") and Mitchell as Eurydice, the beautiful young woman seduced into Hades' underworld.

"I recognized in the Orpheus character something a lot of artists feel: his heartbreaking optimism," observes Mitchell. "In the underworld, the rules are the rules, you don’t get a dead person back—but Orpheus believes if he can just sing/play/write something beautiful enough, maybe he can do the impossible, move the heart of stone, get through to someone. I've felt that feeling..." And alas, an incredible album is born, complete with human emotion, social commentary, and an incredibly impressive artistic collaboration.

In general, the lovely Vermont singer-songwriter has a unique, eclectic style all her own, but has definitely been influenced by "the earthiness of Shawn Colvin, the child-like bite of Joanna Newsom, and the urban jumpiness of Ani DiFranco." As this reviewer continues, "These elements, as disparate as they might seem, come together as nicely as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg" (Margaret Reges, Allmusic.com). In January 2008, I was actually lucky enough to see Mitchell play shortly after she was taken up by Difranco’s Righteous Babe Records, opening a show for the extraordinary anti-folk goddess herself.

Back to the album, Hadestown is definitely the most creative, inspired folk album I have heard in the past couple years, bringing a fresh perspective to the mythic tradition and timeless themes of power, love and desperation. Listen—to the feature on NPR or buy it—but listen to it all the way through. Even if the Americana style generally doesn’t appeal to you, and I admit it normally doesn’t for me, the inspired and compelling narration, craft, and featured artists on the album come together and truly form something magical.

Written by: Abigail Chance, May 28th 2010

Bitte Orca

admin — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:07:00 +0000

By Dirty Projectors

Domino

At times the catchy melodies and ironically jarring harmonies found on Dirty Projectors’ latest album, Bitte Orca, seem surprising, and at other times, perfectly in place. From the very first listen the Dirty Projectors certainly project something interesting. It’s the sort of sound that makes you ask, “Do you know who this is?” And for the first time in months you genuinely consider paying for the music that has somehow found its way into your head.

Bitte Orca is yet another disc from the collective’s leader, Dave Longstreth, who formerly put together an alt-rock version of Black Flag’s famed Damaged EP. Longstreth is known for masterfully grinding pleasant chords into more experimental songs, and this album is no exception. Equal parts fresh, glowing pop and adult musical genius, Bitte Orca fits well in the ringleader’s reservoir of music.

While the members of Dirty Projectors are in a state of flux from record to record, Bitte Orca was put together by a spectacular cluster of musicians in addition to the single constant member, Longstreth: Amber Coffman (guitar and vocals), Angel Deradoorian (bass and vocals), and Brian McComber (drums). Sometimes sing-songy, sometimes haunting, and just as frequently introspective, the group’s collaboration has resulted in an album easily described as a success. The two women (Coffman and Deradoorian) who support the music with their wistful voices also act as the cover of the album for the new release. Longstreth poses solo on the back.

Currently on tour, Dirty Projectors are playing the last of their sold out shows around the US and moving on to Europe through September. If given the opportunity to catch the band live, you might want to jump at it. Or, if you just want to see what you might be missing out on, give the band a listen on their Myspace page.

As a whole Bitte Orca seems fitting for a warm day with a light breeze—nothing too heavy, and though there’s no promise you’ll dance, there’s a very good chance you’ll feel good about what you’re listening to.

Written by: Tatiana Ryckman, September 9th 2009

Chup

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:06:00 +0000

By Zeb and Haniya

Chup is Zeb and Haniya's (pronounced "Zay-eb and Haa-nee-ya) debut album, which was released in July of 2008. The female-cousin duo has been marked as one of the first all-female bands from Pakistan. Ranging from alternative pop, art pashto and folk, ethnic blues, and world music, their music cannot be confined to just one category. Some of their influences include Suzanne Vega, Nick Drake, Elliott Smith, Simon and Garfunkel, Mark Knopfler, and Muddy Waters. At times, I can definitely hear glimpses of all their influences in their music. Zeb and Haniya have a surprisingly natural sound to them, which is refreshing.

In 2000, while attending college in the United States, Zeb and Haniya started playing together. They basically began experimenting with music as a hobby, but with a great response from the college community, decided to start recording. Zeb has been training as a vocalist since 1998 with the acclaimed Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan. Her first cousin Haniya is a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter.

The self-track titled song "Chup" proves that contemporary Pakistani music is not just a man's domain. As one of the most popular songs downloaded on the internet, and having gotten generous airplay, “Chup” is one of Zeb and Haniya’s most well-known songs. It was written and composed during a break when they were in college. The song begins with a catchy guitar riff and a bossanova-sounding drum beat. Horns play throughout, and it's hard not to tap your foot or even start dancing while this song is playing.

Between Zeb's classical-sounding vocals and Zaniya's beautiful guitar arrangements, this Pakistani duo creates beautiful and highly emotive sounds.

Written by: MK Matson, June 15th 2009