|
Savath & Savalas is a
project conceived by Scott Herren, aka Prefuse
73, and is a collaboration with the previously
untouted Catalan singer and songwriter Eva Puyuelo
Muns. This album seems to have provided an outlet
for Herren to express his Spanish side, having lived
in Barcelona for some time, and combined with Eva's
fresh approach (this is her first involvement with
music) the result is Apropa't.
The record is packed full of
influences, but manages to emerge with a distinctive
enough voice. I had expected to hear more beats, but
when used these tend to be placed towards the back of
the picture, allowing some of the extraordinary
textures the duo create to come through. Theirs is a
sound big on acoustic instruments, with a bass
clarinet here, a harmonium there and subtle touches
from harps, guitar, stringed instruments and other
intriguing effects. At times the texture sounds akin
to Jim O'Rourke, but of course the song
material is markedly different.
This is where Muns comes in, with
some hypnotic melodies often sung in unison by the
duo. Some of the material borders on the ritualistic
but never disappears up itself, always changing
gradually in melody and harmony. There's the acoustic
dreamery of Te Quiero Pero Por Otro Lado..., where a
simple melody is interwoven with clarinet fragments.
Then the following Colores Sin Nombre with a light
(but not flimsy) breakbeat, and again some simpler,
folk-based melodies to Balcon Sin Flores. A La Nit is
warmly atmospheric - like most of the album perfect for
a nocturnal listen - and the bass clarinet comes into
its own at the end of Ultimo Tren.
Herren is normally based in
Atlanta, but the duo recorded this in Barcelona,
closer to the source material. It's clear that
Apropa't has the Spanish soul running through it from
start to finish, and it's the musical equivalent of a
siesta when taken at face value. The great thing about
it is that further listening is rewarded as the
melodies become more familiar and the variations in
texture can be fully appreciated. All of which makes
for the perfect late night album.
Comments
|
 |
|
more 