Search - Shelleyan Orphan :: Humroot

Enchanting

cynthiamask | California | 11/25/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An album for the incurably romantic, Humroot is an album of startling beauty. Shelleyan Orphan, a band that has continually played with all elements of music, from orchestral structures and jazz time, created it's most evolved work with this album, which has the added bonus of two players from the Cure. Playing a bit with more complicated There is a progression in the mood of the songs, from a feeling of opening one's eyes in the morning on the first track, Muddied Up, to going to bed to the sweet-voiced sounds of Supernature on a Superhighway.This is an album that, once heard thoroughly, will grow on you. To my surprise, this is one of the few albums that I keep coming back to, year after year. I can compare Shelleyan Orphan to no one."

Wondrous, beautiful, playful, thoughtful.

D. Mok | Los Angeles, CA | 04/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Shelleyan Orphan reissues by Rough Trade Records were cause for rejoicing. Caroline Crawley is one of the most gifted singers out there, a blend of childlike innocence, pure sensuality, romantic power, with a sense of humour to boot. What's more remarkable is that, like The Sundays' Harriet Wheeler, she knows that moments of irony don't hurt even when you have a sweet voice. Thus the enduring attractiveness of Humroot: Floating, cooing lead track "Muddied-Up", the soaring but sweet "Dead Cat" (believe it), with its infectious chorus ("On a day I found..."), and the album's best track, the upbeat, piano-driven "Burst", whose joie-de-vivre matched with strangely fitting lyrics ("The Lord Almighty be impressed/Hurry up lift up your dress/My hair is on the kitchen wall...") literally lifts you off your feet. The kind of joyful song that can brighten up your day, coupled with Crawley's beautifully rousing vocals and her partner Jemaur Tayle's more deadpan, lovable croon.



A band to cherish. If you can locate Tayle and Crawley's current band, Babacar, be sure to check out its eponymous debut album, a mesh of world-music influences, Crawley/Tayle's unforgettable (though sometimes formless) songwriting, and that angelic voice."