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[Album Recommendation]: 'Out of Season'
[Album Recommendation] Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man - 'Out of Season'
Out: Now
Released: Start of November
Length: 10 Tracks/43:48
Label: Go Beat
If the name Beth Gibbons doesn't ring a bell, then perhaps the name Portishead does. Gibbons is the vocalist of Portishead and this is her first proper lead solo release with Rustin Man aka Paul Webb. Webb has somewhat of a discography under his belt in various producer and musician roles- the most with mid-90s electro band Newcleus.
The initial comparison of this album is to Portishead, but that's all too easy a target thanks to the wonderfully unique voice of Beth Gibbons. Haunting and serene but almost cracked at times it's one of those voices that can go like Marmite, you either love it or hate it. It's that warble sound she's capable of that push the moments for me.
If you like her voice you'll love the album; it doesn't come across as a showcase of versitility. It's probably the opposite of a Moloko album, where you have Roisin Murphy belting out vocals in a thousand amazing styles with quirky backbeats and strange blips. Out of Season is, to use the cliched phrase, an 'organic album'. There's no evident electronic manipulation and drums get no louder than a jazz quintet with a bit of ride and brushed snare.
Instrumental backing comes from acoustic guitars, sweeping strings, muted brass and faintly bubbling Hammond organs; it all has an real ghostly edge to it. The mood is Portishead through and through- just without the theremin sounds. Essentially pained and reflective, but no slit-your-wrists moment and certainly no pomposity.
Of the tracks on the album, they all have good points to them to my ears. The start of the album, titled 'Mysteries' (probably an in-joke), is a really quite uplifting beginning with choir-like backing vocals and really soft lead accompanied by acoustic guitar and subtle keys.
'Resolve' is the most simple, one of those beautiful moments. Just Gibbons and an acoustic guitar. Her voice is right at the front of the soundscape, pushing at your ears. Think of the beginning of 'Exit Music (for a film)' by Radiohead and you're almost there.
Third track 'Show' is fantastic, starting off with a simple piano line repeating throughout the song, the only additions come at the finish with a flute and cello line. It moves at a very relaxed pace, letting the floating vocals take the fore.
It's almost like an old jazz record, with a great vocalist and uncomplicated backing. Great production throughout, each instrument is where is needs to be, nothing overpowers and nothing gets lost either.
A Haunting album, simple classic intrumentation and the fantastic Beth Gibbons on vocals; can't lose really. 8.5/10
Recommended if you like:
The quieter moments of Portishead
Goldfrapp - Felt Mountain (Adrian Utley appears on both these records)
Elysian Fields - Queen of the Meadow
[Album Recommendation] Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man - 'Out of Season'
Out: Now
Released: Start of November
Length: 10 Tracks/43:48
Label: Go Beat
If the name Beth Gibbons doesn't ring a bell, then perhaps the name Portishead does. Gibbons is the vocalist of Portishead and this is her first proper lead solo release with Rustin Man aka Paul Webb. Webb has somewhat of a discography under his belt in various producer and musician roles- the most with mid-90s electro band Newcleus.
The initial comparison of this album is to Portishead, but that's all too easy a target thanks to the wonderfully unique voice of Beth Gibbons. Haunting and serene but almost cracked at times it's one of those voices that can go like Marmite, you either love it or hate it. It's that warble sound she's capable of that push the moments for me.
If you like her voice you'll love the album; it doesn't come across as a showcase of versitility. It's probably the opposite of a Moloko album, where you have Roisin Murphy belting out vocals in a thousand amazing styles with quirky backbeats and strange blips. Out of Season is, to use the cliched phrase, an 'organic album'. There's no evident electronic manipulation and drums get no louder than a jazz quintet with a bit of ride and brushed snare.
Instrumental backing comes from acoustic guitars, sweeping strings, muted brass and faintly bubbling Hammond organs; it all has an real ghostly edge to it. The mood is Portishead through and through- just without the theremin sounds. Essentially pained and reflective, but no slit-your-wrists moment and certainly no pomposity.
Of the tracks on the album, they all have good points to them to my ears. The start of the album, titled 'Mysteries' (probably an in-joke), is a really quite uplifting beginning with choir-like backing vocals and really soft lead accompanied by acoustic guitar and subtle keys.
'Resolve' is the most simple, one of those beautiful moments. Just Gibbons and an acoustic guitar. Her voice is right at the front of the soundscape, pushing at your ears. Think of the beginning of 'Exit Music (for a film)' by Radiohead and you're almost there.
Third track 'Show' is fantastic, starting off with a simple piano line repeating throughout the song, the only additions come at the finish with a flute and cello line. It moves at a very relaxed pace, letting the floating vocals take the fore.
It's almost like an old jazz record, with a great vocalist and uncomplicated backing. Great production throughout, each instrument is where is needs to be, nothing overpowers and nothing gets lost either.
A Haunting album, simple classic intrumentation and the fantastic Beth Gibbons on vocals; can't lose really. 8.5/10
Recommended if you like:
The quieter moments of Portishead
Goldfrapp - Felt Mountain (Adrian Utley appears on both these records)
Elysian Fields - Queen of the Meadow