FULLDesperandum Record label: Handpicked Entertainment/Madpeeps Music Format: CD Release date: 22 February 2005 The "rocktronic charismob" currently based in Seattle seems to have released their breakthrough album: Desperandum takes the avant-pop dissonance that made Dimstar so challenging and complex and tailors the formula for well-crafted pop tunes that rock audiences will gravitate to. Crazy thing is that they haven't sacrificed any of their free jazz/improvisational moments or their experimentation with electronic circuitry - it's all a part of their noticeably tighter sound. However, their present-day tendency to rock out is a bit more evident on tracks like "clumsy" and "it sticks," the guitars playing a more prominent role. Ms. Wings continues to soar to greater heights as a vocalist and lyricist. While on the previous album her voice hovered just over the band's wall of sound, the production places her vocals center stage this time around. She is well on her way to becoming one of those distinct voices that deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Björk, Liz Fraser (Cocteau Twins), Harriet Wheeler (The Sundays), and Kristy Thirsk (Rose Chronicles). Each track on this album stands well on its own, but "somewhere before the sunrise," "slipped," and "push it down" all showcase Full's range. This sextet crosses more genres in four minutes than most bands can in an hour while managing to sound sensible, relevant, and addictive. Hopefully, Desperandum will introduce this group to a larger audience. {macedonia}
|