Friday 2 November 2012

Review: Vancouver – Elegant Violence Since 1985


Vancouver – Elegant Violence Since 1985 (Independent)
With one of the more intriguing album titles we’ve come across this year, Vancouver (aka singer-songwriter Chris Adams) had managed to pique our curiosity before we’ve heard a note. For his second album (his first, “The Memory Box” is currently competitively priced on Bandcamp), he’s teamed up with cellist Todd Williams (Guilty Verdict), the latter’s bass tone coming directly to the fore on the opener “Tri Color Shuffle”, and combining successfully with Adams’ acoustic guitar and weathered voice, and the effect, with the songs’ lyrical references to running, hiding and ghostly silhouettes, is akin to Gothic folk. Surprisingly, following track “Bat Girl” is much brighter, as is “La Forte”, and both nestle comfortably within the new folk spectrum. Though neither lacks a certain edgy ambiance.

Williams’ cello provides an instrumental depth that is sadly missing on many singer-songwriter recordings, and on the final track “Grafted” he’s particularly effective, entangling the song in a shady, almost menacing motif, and it ends the record with a flourish. Adams songs remain centre stage throughout, and he’s an accomplished words man, adept at building both tension and narrative. Those who take pleasure from the recordings of Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Bright Eyes and Bon Iver should investigate.
Simon M.


Vancouver: Elegant Violence Since 1985

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.