The quiet lady of The Low Anthem, Jocie Adams, steps forth with a second solo album, ‘Arc Iris’ this time having left the The Low Anthem behind to start a new band career.
Jocie’s first solo effort ‘Bed of Notions’ (reviewed here), was a fine effort and with a group of talented musicians around her Arc Iris is a big step up again and something on par with the quality of albums produced by her former bandmates.
First thing you have is the cover art to grab you with its vibrant colours and design which could even describe the music on this double album. It’s a no holds barred, gene busting delight.
Jocie’s vocals remain unique and not something that ever really stood out in The Low Anthem perhaps, somewhere between Iris Dement and Joanna Newsome, the vocals are the engine room of Arc Iris.
Album opener, ‘Money Gnomes’ hits symphonic American territory as ‘Lost on Me’ comes somewhere close to lady of the moment Kate Bush on a piano, brass and violin. A sweet song.
Staves like harmonies on ‘Whiskey Man’ and New Orleans jazz swing on ‘Signing so Sweetly’ this is a well thought out album of many twist and turns sound wise, which keeps it constantly interesting for the listener.
Listen closely enough to this record, you will find some doo-wop, Slide, electric and acoustic guitars. No instrument or musical style seems out of bounds.
The LP’s centrepiece is the epic eight minutes worth of ‘Honour of the Rainbows I&II’ with its shiver down the spine vocals which is swiftly followed by the JJ Cale esqe ‘Powder Train’.
This record should be one of the success stories of year for its originality and ambition. A fine work from a very fine bunch of musicians’.
Pete
9/11
1. Money Gnomes
2. Lost on Me
3. Whiskey Man
4. Canadian Cowboy
5. Singing So Sweetly
6. Ditch
7. Honor of the Rainbows I
8. Honor of the Rainbows II
9. Powder Train
10. Might I Deserve To Have A Dream
11. Swimming