Celebration's 4AD debut was produced by David Sitek from TV On The Radio. He also contributed treated guitar parts and synth noises which, along with Martin Perna and Stewart Bogle's flute and saxparts, make for a record s... more »plashed with beguiling texture and sonic surprise. Other members of TV On The Radio made guest appearances as vocalists on various tracks. This collaborative mood is a signal of sorts; for all its starkness, its twitchy, raw-boned energy, and its unflinching focus, "Celebration" is an inclusive, even euphoric record. This is music that speaks of a primal thirst for life. And in dark times, that's a cause for celebration indeed.« less
Celebration's 4AD debut was produced by David Sitek from TV On The Radio. He also contributed treated guitar parts and synth noises which, along with Martin Perna and Stewart Bogle's flute and saxparts, make for a record splashed with beguiling texture and sonic surprise. Other members of TV On The Radio made guest appearances as vocalists on various tracks. This collaborative mood is a signal of sorts; for all its starkness, its twitchy, raw-boned energy, and its unflinching focus, "Celebration" is an inclusive, even euphoric record. This is music that speaks of a primal thirst for life. And in dark times, that's a cause for celebration indeed.
"Previous incantations from Sean Antanaitis and Katrina Ford led me down a long dark road. Whether it was the vibrant dissonance of Jaks or the wonderfully sculpted darkness of Love Life, the pair have never fallen short of amazing. It was no vex for me to hear another outfit put together very well. Celebration should be applauded for such a beautiful record, start to finish.
Many contemporaries seem to wallow in their gloom where it almost feels like a chore to listen after a few songs. Katrina and company manage to show many different colours in the spectrum of anguish, despair, or the plain ol' blues. The record hits you right in the soul.
Antanaitis's organ play leaves one yearning for a trip some far off exotic island. And his signature guitar tone is top notch. Ford's voice has evolved greatly since Love Life, also. One doesn't get the beastly bellowing as much but rather a more refined femininity in turn making the music brighter. And the return of Dave Bergander (Love Life) rounding out the trio plays alongside the other 2 steady and strong.
All in all, Celebration is perfect for the exhausted music enthusiast or anyone coming into the fold without prior knowledge of Siouxsie & The Banshees or The Birthday Party. Go out and pick this baby up."
Siouxsie on acid singing through a fun house
Marc | san diego | 05/27/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I went to see a band called "TV On The Radio" and immeadiately discarded them after hearing Celebration as the opening act.
I loved the show and I loved the album. Sorta brings back memories of my Siouxsie and the Banshees days.
The lyrics are difficult to understand, but the vocals are wonderfully poignant. The music is an up and down roller coaster through a fun house.
very refreshing, very eccentric. very well done.
"
It's growing on me....
skytwo | Boston | 11/25/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"You aren't going to hear a TV On the Radio sound here, in spite of the contributions from TOTR members. Instead, Celebration's sound is reminiscent of 80's goth, a la 4AD's bands of the era, with deep, strong vocals reminiscent of Siouxsie Sioux at her most cabaret-esque intense.
Combine that with a hint of Pram's 'nightmare circus' sound of organ and theremin, and some pleasantly unusual genre-bending, like the moody sea chantey Good Ship (which could be the official song of the Flying Dutchman) and the bluesy lullaby (a la early creeped-out Pixies tracks) Diamonds. Then there are some pretty straightforward distortion-rock tunes, like New Skin.
All told, a pleasant batch of influences that result in an album that feels both comfortable and new. Four stars for fans of the aforementioned groups. I'll be looking forward to a follow-up. And it's nice to hear a female singer who isn't afraid to use her lungpower-- I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for a Boston concert date...."
4ad is interesting again!
Matthew Keller | here, there, everywhere | 12/26/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"After many years of not seeming terribly relevant, I think 4ad sounds like they're reclaiming the ground they occupied in the late 80's early 90's. The artists on the current roster are oddly charming. If Scott Walker creates a new album, it will be put out by 4ad. They've got the Icelandic composer Johann Johannsson who does orchestral pieces that almost make Dead Can Dance sound like a pop act. There's this little gem by Celebration which to me echoes some of the sounds of old 4ad acts. The main one that comes to mind is the Wolfgang Press before they delved into dance floor beats. Celebration keeps it pretty stark and strange. Their not out to fall soothingly upon the ears. Katrina Ford whales quite a lot in a Siouxsie sort of way. I'd also say that her delivery sounds almost genderless. I'm especially taken to her vocal approach on the single "Diamonds". She makes it a dynamic little song by shouting out the lyrics. The song comes off like she's befallen some horrific injustice while at the carnival. She sounds frighteningly on the brink of insanity kind of the way Kristin Hersh sounds on "Hate My Way". Instrumentally, Celebration is fairly minimal, but the jagged,frantic nature of some of the songs makes them sound fullbodied. I don't find all of the songs coming together for me, but despite the overall abrasiveness of Celebration's songs, there's this stark subworld in there sound that I'm attracted to. Of course, knowing 4ad, this will probably be a one-off release on the label, but in my opinion a good one it is. Lastly, if you find Celebration a little harsh on the ears, just wait until 4ad unleashes Wolf and Cub."