Lush folk rock with chamber music flourishes
byrner | The South | 09/14/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"An interesting album with some first class arrangements. It's evidently their first, but the members of The Glaciers sound too good for this to be their only recording experience. Horns, strings, pedal steel, with lush arrangements and no producer? This is a sound most bands can't achieve without a major label and a few albums under their belt. What's going on here?
On their best songs, The Glaciers have come up with something pretty unique. I don't know what to call it other than perhaps "chamber folk": folk-styled songs combined with a string quartet and horns. It's a very interesting sound, accessible but also elegant; like Lucinda Williams filtered through Penguin Café Orchestra.
For example, "Habit to Break" leads with strings pulsing over an acoustic guitar rhythm. I like the formality and elegance of the quartet contrasted against the guitar, the simple melody, and Jackie Linge's singing. She has a sweet voice--genuine and untainted by anything resembling a fake southern accent. Pedal steel at the chorus gives the song a solid Gram Parsons country rock vibe. The songs "To Be One," "Mobile Homes," and "Railroads" each use this approach or some variation to good effect.
I hesitate to pinpoint the album strictly as folk because Moonlight Never Misses an Appointment has an eclectic side to it. The Glaciers mix a variety of styles including pop, rock, jazz, and ambient sounds. One example: "Kidney Stone" adopts an unusual approach similar to the experimental group INSTITUT FUER FEINMOTORIK, using the crackling pop of an old LP runoff groove to provide the rhythm track for the song. It's such a naturally interesting rhythm it's a wonder that other bands haven't tried this cool little trick. This song runs a smooth hypnotic groove, with pedal steel, masculine harmonies, shimmering guitar, and an intimate trumpet solo. I really like the personal feel of this song. You can hear Jackie Linge talking off-mic during the solo. It's a great song that reminds me a bit of the old American Music Club sound. Definitely a standout. Download it, find it, listen to it.
"Hat's Off" is another standout song. It starts with a string overture then moves into a Tori Amos-like lament. At first it fooled me into thinking it was just another girl singer confessional. But what "Hat's Off" really wants to be is a languorous rock ballad with a vintage refrain reminiscent of The Left Banke or Faces. The song reveals its true nature during its long conclusion with a fadeout just spilling over with cascading instruments. It's so sweetly retro that one expects to hear a turntable stylus lift at the end of the song and the tonearm returning to its cradle before shutting off. (Come to think of it, I don't think INSTITUT FUER FEINMOTORIK has used that particular trick yet, so there's an idea). Anyway, I love this song.
If there's a weak spot, the album is padded with a few safe sounding pop songs that seem like they've been sitting on the shelf a little too long. "World on Fire" "Mono Highway" and "Lucky Me" have a 80s quality--akin to The Bangles. To my thinking, "Mono Highway" would be better as a slower noir song like Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" instead of the happy-chorus/sing-along/hand-claps number it is. Still, it's hard to complain about these few songs all too much because the Grade-A production of the album makes even Grade-Z material palatable.
Overall, The Moonlight Never Misses an Appointment has a great sound and four or so standout songs. It's a shame Amazon doesn't have an album cover or song clips for the album. Quite a nuisance actually. I happened to hear a few of their songs on college radio before getting the record. Anyway among the releases of 2006 that I've listened to, this is among the better ones. (If you're curious, it ranks better on my list than the latest album by the Fiery Furnaces, Golden Smog, Islands, I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness, or Spoon, but not quite up there with the latest by The Dresden Dolls, Ani Difranco, Regina Spektor, or Kimya Dawson)."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1