From: owner-jangle-poets-digest@smoe.org (jangle-poets-digest) To: jangle-poets-digest@smoe.org Subject: jangle-poets-digest V6 #4 Reply-To: jangle-poets@smoe.org Sender: owner-jangle-poets-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-jangle-poets-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk jangle-poets-digest Saturday, January 31 2004 Volume 06 : Number 004 Today's Subjects: ----------------- [JP] Stand Review ["David J Percy" ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 19:18:00 -0000 From: "David J Percy" Subject: [JP] Stand Review This from www.fishrecords.co.uk. Did someone say jangle? DjP Over the past few years The Kennedys have been building up an impressive and diverse body of work that ranges from the gentle acoustic sounds of 'Angel Fire' right through to the pop driven 'Evolver'. The constants throughout the different styles are the always excellent songwriting and the instantly identifiable sound of Maura's vocals and Pete's guitar work. 'Stand' is no different, within the first 10 seconds of the opening sound there's a distinctive 12-string guitar riff and a strong opening vocal that immediately identifies this as a Kennedy's album. As with all their albums, on the first listen through it's the melodies that are immediately striking, throughout the disc all the songs are brim full of hooks, and they never pass up on the opportunity to deliver a great melody - the supply of melodies is relentless, and it makes the disc an absolute breeze to listen to and enjoy on the first run through. Even though they have an identifiable sound they certainly don't stick a formula with their songwriting, they continue to ignore musical boundaries and seamlessly make the transition through genres and decades with ease - jangly-pop ('Dharma Cafi'), country-rock ('Tupelo') and folk ('Anna & the Magic Gown) all sit together comfortably on the album. The songs on 'Stand' compare favourably to the output of more traditional singer/songwriters, they're excellent writers and their own songs (there are two covers) are full of detail, metaphor and real depth. Highlights are the title track which subtly and beautifully blends Curtis Mayfield's 'People Get ready' into a folk-rock song with a strong lyrical theme; 'Tupelo' is an alt-country track with a great Gothic tale that's steeped in Southern imagery; and the two final tracks that sit together well, 'Anna & the Magic Gown' is a retelling of a classic tale, the melody and vocal delivery is inspired by English folk song but with a more contemporary musical backing, and this leads into Dave Carter's 'When I Go' which is a truly beautiful and hopeful song that mixes myth and tradition, it's a great way to close the disc. It goes without saying that Maura's vocals are excellent - she has a pure and versatile voice and is equally convincing across all styles; and Pete's guitar work is as varied and graceful as ever. 'Stand' is The Kennedy's most consistent album yet, it has no weak songs and a real fluidity across all 12 songs. Highly recommended. #13.49 Check out the Kennedys' Official Home Page: http://www.KennedysMusic.com/ Fab photos, the Official tour diary, dashboard Buddha haiku, groovy merchandise...what more could you ask for? ------------------------------ End of jangle-poets-digest V6 #4 ********************************