ARTIST:
ACTIVE CHILD


ALBUM:
YOU ARE ALL I SEE


KEY TRACKS:
HANGING ON
YOU ARE ALL I SEE
IVY


"I just don't know what is wrong, with you and me"
Active Child is the moniker for electronic musician and accomplished harpist, Pat Grossi whose music is so hypnotic that it will stay in your head a long while after a quick listen.  Aside from the obvious beauty in the top notes of Grossi's music.  There is also a deep lingering sadness, a loneliness that is present.  One that Grossi makes an uncomfortable exploration into with this ambitious first release.  

Hanging On is the most exquisite track in this album, and one that I'm unfortunately able to relate to more than I'd like to.  It's about abandonment, when your loved one leaves you and all you're left with is the memories you shared with them.  Thus you hang onto them with all you've got until enough time passes and you can heal.  Rossi knows this feeling all to well:  "every day I feel this pain" he sings "but you just turn and walk away".  Sometimes relationships break off with one person being horribly broken up while one walks away freely. It's clear in this equation which one Rossi was in this relationship.   


The theme of loneliness continues into Playing House.  "This is getting tough sitting here waiting for you".  Rossi delves further to understand his emotions, but finds himself even more lost than before:   "I just don't even know what I want".  I don't know what I want either.  


The last few weeks have been a bit challenging for me so this album, as mentioned earlier, was eerily similar to my own condition.  Loneliness is still common.  Even in this technologically saturated society, people still aren't always there when you need them.  It's ridiculous.  


However lonely and somber, Pat Rossi's music is texturally rich.  You get bits of classical mixed with hip - hop beats and then a few ambient loops are tossed in.  It's a real treat to hear such diverse sounds converge to make something new.  The vocal loops alone in Hanging On have catapulted this album to the top of my charts for 2011.  Also, Pat Grossi is a former choir boy which is obvious in his high, almost womanly, high notes.  It's just another interesting layer to add into the mix.   


Active Child has made the difficult journey of creating a genre of music out of many bits and pieces of other musical genres.  What results is a combination that must be heard to be understood:  a genre of his own creation, and it's lovely. 

LISTEN:  HANGING ON  |  YOU ARE ALL I SEE  |  IVY 

NEXT WEEK:  NEON INDIAN  |  ERA EXTRANA    

ARTIST:
FEIST


ALBUM:
METALS


KEY TRACKS:
THE BAD IN EACH OTHER
ANTI-PIONEER
CAUGHT A LONG WIND
THE CIRCLE MARRIED THE LINE


"speak plain"




This has been a long anticipated release for me.  Ever since Monarch I've always kept Leslie Feist on my musical radar.  She's one of those artists who's musical career I've loosely followed but enjoyed nonetheless.  At first listen Metals doesn't have those standout whimsical singles that made The Reminder such a hit.  You know, the 1 2 3 4's and the Sea Lion's.  Instead Metals is more of a slow burn, reminiscent of some of those subtle gems from The Reminder like Brandy Alexander and (my personal favorite Honey Honey).  As a result of this combination,  Metals really smolders.  

On the first listen you get all the new textures Feist is experimenting with.  Most noticeably are the saxophones and other string/horn arrangements.  However, Feist still maintains her folk roots by honoring those subjects that the genre holds dearest:  nature and love.  And although an already well seasoned musician and songwriter, I couldn't  help but feel there is a real sense of maturity to this album.  The songs are really fluid, layered richly, and are so much more dimensional than previous releases. 


I also feel that I listened to this album in the right place and the right time.  I was road tripping in rural America when this album came on my iPod.  Let me tell you that this record is meant to be heard outside, in the sunlight, with the wind in your hair.  


The album's opener, The Bad in Each Other is most definitely the finest example of this.  Feist's wispy voice, backed by an entire symphony of clattering tambourines, strings, saxophones, guitars, and a laundry list of other noises is a most satisfying combination.  Feist really showcases those guitar skills on this one putting this riff up there amongst 2011's best.    


Metals is certainly more demanding vocally and it's lovely to hear Feist loud and clear over her music as exemplified best in The Circle Married the Line and Anti-Pioneer.  There's also a noticeable staccato to her voice here which was delightful to hear. 


 Anti-Pioneer is a little jewel box of a track and it embodies all the traditional Feist qualities: guitar, subtle backing vocals, and that comfortable slow paced melody.  What's most remarkable about this track is that it has been 10 years in the making.  10 years to make something so subtle?  For Feist, on this track and the album as a whole, capturing that sort of understated elegance is worth taking the time.   

LISTEN:  THE BAD IN EACH OTHER  |  ANTI PIONEER  |  CAUGHT A LONG WIND  |  THE CIRCLE MARRIED THE LINE

NEXT WEEK:  JAMES BLAKE  |  JAMES BLAKE