Au Revoir Simone : 'Still Night, Still Light'
It is often hard to legitimately describe Au Revoir Simone. With their pure tone and simple song construction it would appear a straightforward task, but with so much that has to be felt rather than read conveying the sheer feeling behind each track can often become a hopeless task. And 'Still Night, Still Light' is no exception. Filled with such delicate beauty each track offers a demonstration in simple song writing at it's best. But the fact remains, no matter how many lines are written about the album, it must be heard to be fully appreciated and justified.
Where to start? What provides such a fundamental basis for the stunning effect produced by each track is the instrumentation. Often basic in it's premise it carries such delicate melodies with ease and with no suggestion of suffocation. “All Or Nothing” is a perfect example, with nothing but sustained keyboard chords and a gentle yet consistent drumbeat backing up the vocals. Careful addition of a subtle bass line and an evolution in the beat progress the track forward, with a bright keyboard melody completing the ensemble. It's by no means overly complicated, but the rounded sound and textured nature it creates is simply astonishing. Single “Shadows” is very much in the same vein, with simple elements intertwined to produce a rousing melody to great effect. It is the pulsing nature of the drums that make for such an infectious sound and, combined with an irresistible synth melody, make the track such a memorable success.
Creativity is undoubtedly the key word when attempting to describe this album, and it shows its self in many different forms. “Knight Of Wands” works heavily on synth influences from the off, with a complex assembly of highs and lows weaving within each other. In stark contrast follow up track “The Last One” relies on a muted keyboard melody for approximately the first minute, maintaining interest with ease despite it's simple nature. But by far the most creative aspect of all is the ornate nature of the vocals. Comprised of Erika Forster, Annie Hart and Heather D'Angelo the trio's sparkling tones weave together in each track to create simply stunning results. “Only You Can Make Me Happy” utilises the delicate vocal melodies to counteract the somewhat dark and sinister tone of the track, yet with rising scaled harmonies and crescendos it is the vocals that steal the show. To possess such a pure voice is one thing, but to merge three such voices together so successfully is simply beautiful. “Take Me As I Am” serves to showcase the ladies' talents, with the vocals featuring almost alone at the start. It has a stunning effect, and every time the trio combine to create the perfectly layered harmony it is impossible not to smile in appreciation.
No amount of praise could convey the unbridled beauty of 'Still Night, Still Light', that is the unfortunate truth of attempting it. What can be conveyed is the essential nature that each song holds, it's individuality and it's unique take on the band's talents at every turn. It is album full of ideas, each wonderfully unique and expertly executed. From simplicity to saturated complication it is all graced with the trio's unmistakable voices, something that makes the album worthwhile on it's own. Yet with these elements combined it becomes an essential, something that has to be listened to to be believed.
Words: Dan Grose
Write a comment
- Required fields are marked with *.
-->