Effortless Cool by Homespun
Easy listening? Yes, very.
But good? Yes – and the opening song Sweetness is almost too nice.
But it’s the sweetness of sugar rather than saccharine and it
leaves a pleasant taste while leading to a collection of tracks that
have more depth.
I still skip the first one, but I like – and play - the rest, which is unusual when today’s technology makes it so easy to focus only on our favourite tracks. I enjoy Sam Brown’s voice, and the way the band use a wide variety of instruments, clearly loving it and melging well with each other.
Most of the music and words are by Dave Rotheray and although so different something in the lyrics reminds me of Tori Amos and Alainis Morrisette. But the emotions, though deep and questioning, are gently expressed as though the beauty of the music and poetry is enough to let negativity dissolve – no fury or bitterness needed. One song will be too close for comfort for some couples but could – I’m usually an optimist – be cathartic too as if tended in time, many a sinking relationship can be saved. If We’re So Happy confronts that feeling when you know things aren’t right but continue to pretend everything’s hunky dory. “If we’re so happy, Why would you flinch If our hands should meet in the night. If we’re so happy, Why should I weep For no reason when you are asleep. And why when we undress Would I blush? If we’re so happy, How come we’re drinking so much?”
I haven’t tried painting to this CD yet – but it will be interesting to see what style and mood it triggers – I anticipate singing primary colours along with soft, muted pastels.
When I’m working, I can’t always cope with music – it can be too demanding and take my mind off what I’m doing. These songs are happy to mostly stay in the background, but every now and then a lyric or melody (strange how these usually complement each other) grabs my attention and makes me pause to listen.
Like Italy: “I think that you’ve been on my mind today . . . Can you take a minute to explain? Is this just a visit – Or have you moved into my brain?
And A Minute: The lilting tune and the line “Don’t figure that you and me Should be waiting on a promised land – That’s an old, cold philosophy I never could understand.”
Cozy Island Lullaby has the same magic of connection between me, the lyric and the melody. That tingle thing. “And in the island of my memory, I can feel you standing next to me . . . And I need to know, Do I have to grow?”