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| ARTIST: |
Mull Historical Society
(Google this artist) |
| ALBUM: |
Loss |
| LABEL: |
Blanco Y Negro/XL Recordings |
| RELEASED: |
2002 |
Mull Historical Society is another in a line of late 90's/early 00's to sound distinctly current while overtly tipping their hat to pop influences of the past. Others that come to mind include Ron Sexsmith, Eric Matthews, The Autumn Defense. This is not meant as a negative criticism. In fact, it's just the opposite. MHS's debut full-length album, Loss, is a veritable mish-mosh of interesting pop sounds, accomplished songwriting and arrangements that range from lush to sparse.
From the opening baroque piano riff, "Public Service Announcer" builds on a simple melody, introducing a more complicated line and accompanying arrangement as it goes. "Instead" begins with an odd, race-track-like trumpet sample, adds vocals and slowly builds to include a full-band arrangement. The song's dependence on the melody is similar to Stephin Merritt's style, where he almost seems to challenge the listener to find the great song inside the strange or minimal arrangement.
And it would be hard not to mention the late-era Beach Boys feel on Loss (although the intro chimes on "Watching Xanadu" could just as easily be compared to Tracy Ullman's "They Don't Know"). The disc also includes a bonus video clip.
review by Bruce Hartley
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©
Figgle 2001-2007