I must confess that I don't really know very much about Mr Sheare, other than that he is from the USA, has quite a quirky & engaging web page, was disappointed with the finale of Dexter and has put out a whole EP of quite lovely music for you and I (and anybody else) to enjoy. And really, that's all you ever need to know about a person isn't it? (OH, judging from this twitter picture, he also has quite good pop star hair)... You can buy the EP on iTunes in the UK here - and what you get for 316 of your British pennies is a beautifully constructed body of work, sonic walls of sound crashing over you, reminiscent of Coldplay & Keane (but ultimately and indelibly very Sheare), songs with mellifluous joy that you'll be singing for days. While there have been two official singles from the EP, each of the 4 songs feels like it should be chart bound & dominating your radio all the live long day. Sheare's voice is the emotional anchor in each of these tunes, giving passionate soaring performances that ensure the lyrics radiate & adding nuance & texture to the vibrant instrumentals. Here's a breakdown of the tracks...
- Biding Time ~ The EP kicks off with this tremendous track that teases you gently with some genuinely lovely cascading piano before unleashing a wall of sound with vibrant guitars and energetic percussion. What works brilliantly here (and throughout the EP) is how the music works in perfect complement with the vocals, never allowing the other to overpower. Elegant strings give the tune a necessary wistful edge and there are some elegiac falsetto vocals from Sheare that add to the song's ethereal vibe. Unrequited love is always portrayed as a doomed disaster, yet clever lyrics here give it hope fueled by patience & longing (not only in the words but in Sheare's dramatic reading too). Amazing.
- We Might As Well Be Dreaming ~ A church like organ sound prevails on this beautiful tune where the melody is allowed to run free amidst the impeccable production values. Cascading chimes elevate the dreamlike state of the music that matches the lyrics perfectly - and the fact that Sheare's engaging vocals take you out of your everyday life also is in thematic keeping with the song. In a way it feels like it could be the sequel to Biding Time, where the unrequited love becomes requited & isn't anything at all like the fantasy. Intentional or not, I like this cohesive flow in the EP - it challenges the listener to pay attention & expand on the narrative :)
- Somebody Else ~ title track and current single (see a jolly good indeed live version here) - and my favourite (from a strong bunch) here. It's a gloriously skybound ballad drenched in melancholy minor chords, an evocative & heartbreaking performance from Sheare and a chorus that resonates long after the song has ended. It's accompanied by an incredibly creative video (all made out of cassette tape) that you can marvel at above. If half the electronic dance acts in the top ten at the moment could tap into just a smidgeon of the soul & ingenuity of the project surrounding the single release of Somebody Else well the charts would be a much more rewarding place. Stunning.
- OK - OK brings this story to a close (for now). It sees Sheare tap into his inner monologue to share his views on a skewed relationship, and frankly I wouldn't want him doing anything else. It's evident that his strengths lie in bringing personal experiences to life in a way that stimulate memories for the listener, making it all seem beautifully intimate. OK presents a different facet to the EP's narrative and closes the precedings leaving you breathless for more...
No comments:
Post a Comment