The Murmurs

構成数 : 1枚
合計収録時間 : 00:41:51
The Murmurs: Heather, Leisha (vocals, acoustic guitar). Additional personnel: Chris Cunningham (electric guitar), Lance Doss (mandolin), Suzy Katayama (cello), Michelle Kinney (cello, harmonium), Seamus Egan (flute, Uillean pipes, Irish whistle), Billy Basinkski (ocarina, clarinet, saxophone, percussion), John Yoakum (oboe), Paul Heckert (piano, organ), Roger Greenawalt (bass, percussion), Milt Sutton (drums, percussion). Producers: Roger Greenawalt, Billy Basinski (tracks 1-4, 7-11); Larry Klein (tracks 5-6, 12). Recorded at Sear Sound and Looking Glass Studios, New York; Chapel Studios, Los Angeles, California. All songs written by The Murmurs. Having come together as an acoustic duo as students at New York's American Academy Of Dramatic Arts, the music Heather Grody and Leisha Hailey make as The Murmurs is a throwback to a more innocent, unnaffected era. This was a time of folk divas, when all the girls in the dorm listened to Joan Baez, Mimi Farina, Buffy Saint Marie and Joni Mitchell records, sported straight hair and strummed Martin guitars. Little has changed since then, except perhaps for the hair. What makes THE MURMURS debut so powerful, though, is that while Grody and Hailey's sound may have its origins in Joni Mitchell's breakthrough BLUE or even early Simon & Garfunkel, they greet the modern listener with pungent girlish harmonies and an eccentric mix of artsy imagery and confessional texts--much of it a good deal sharper and less sentimental than their pedigree would suggest, not unlike their spiritual sisters, The Indigo Girls. So while "Untouchable" focuses on a failed relationship in a wistful manner admist the crisp, chamber-like textures, "You Suck" offers a litany of how-could-I-have-wasted-my-time-on-you recrimations, enveloping the listener in their atmosphere of liberation and regret. On "Neverending" they strike a more mystical chord, as their high arching harmonies duel with electric guitars to produce a near eastern timbre, while the hormonal "Bumble Bees" extends on that tonality with a Beatles-styled arrangement and sticky blithe-sprited metaphor for loving. Personnel: Heather Grody (vocals, acoustic guitar); Lance Doss (mandolin); Michelle Kinney (cello, harmonium); Suzie Katayama (cello); Billy Basinski (ocarina, clarinet, saxophone, percussion); John Yoakum (oboe); Paul Heckert (piano, organ); Milt Sutton (drums, percussion); Roger Greenawalt (percussion). Audio Mixers: Larry Klein; Rob Eaton. Recording information: Chapel Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Looking Glass Studios, New York, NY; Sear Sound Studio, New York, NY; Sear Sound Studios, New York, NY. Photographer: Dave Jensen . The most immediately striking elements from the self-titled debut release of the duo the Murmurs are the vocal harmonies of Heather and Leisha. Girlish and quirky, their vocals are more than likely either to appeal or grate on the listener. If you make it past them, there's an album full of lovely, literate, acoustic-based alt pop to be found. The songs build lyrically from the discontent of the opener "Bad Mood" to the in-your-face "You Suck," which was a minor radio hit. Up to that point, the tone is marked with frustration and the search for contentment and belonging. Following "You Suck," the mood shifts to one more upbeat and resilient tune, concluding with calm and acceptance in "Beautiful Peace." ~ Tom Demalon
録音 : ステレオ (Studio)