Artist: Shiny and the Spoon
Title Of Album: Ferris Wheel
Year Of Release: Aug 13, 2011
Label: Shiny and the Spoon
Genre: Folk, Folk Pop, Singer-Songwriter
Format: mp3
Quality: 320 Kbps
Total Time: 49:43
Total Size: 117.83 Mb
Artist: Shiny and the Spoon
Title Of Album: Ferris Wheel
Year Of Release: Aug 13, 2011
Label: Shiny and the Spoon
Genre: Folk, Folk Pop, Singer-Songwriter
Format: mp3
Quality: 320 Kbps
Total Time: 49:43
Total Size: 117.83 Mb
Tracklist:
1. Snowflake
2. Round the Corners
3. Coriander Blues
4. Killin’ the Flower
5. Black Nag
6. Ferris Wheel
7. Take on Me
8. Run
9. Thirteen Crates
10. Bread and Butter
11. I Hear Ghosts
12. No Hole in My Head
13. Blessing
Shiny and the Spoon’s debut CD Ferris Wheel is a light and
lilting, feather-sensitive acoustic affair, but don’t be
fooled by the smooth veneer of the band’s soft sound. This is
far from the stuff of unicorns and rainbows. A deep current of
romantic skepticism that runs just beneath the calm surface of
these still waters is perfectly encapsulated in the metaphorical
implications of the album-opening “Snowflake”. Over a
lightly strummed acoustic guitar, vocalist Amber Nash displays a
presence of mind that is rarely in our grasp during the first warm
blush of a new love, gently reminding us – or herself,
perhaps – that this blessed and unique thing will melt away
all too soon. Throughout the disc, Nash and guitarist Jordan Neff
display an amazing gift for vocal harmonies that are sweet as pie
and soft as a cotton ball. Liberally sprinkled with Southern gothic
imagery and late summer malaise, their deceptively simple lyrics
convey a great depth of emotion. With a singular blend of cynicism
and grace, Ferris Wheel carries itself with quiet humility like a
silent spinster aunt in a Steinbeck novel.
The perfect accompaniment for the duo’s clever lyrics and
infectious melodies is Neff’s subtle string-work, coolly
weaving through each tune like a smiling serpent through tall
grass. Late in the proceedings, “13 Crates” hints at a
completely different direction. Neff turns up the grit just a
little bit here, revealing a strain of dark Blues unheard on the
rest of the record. The juxtaposition of this ominous minor key
lament among a crop of largely lighter fare creates an unexpected
mood twist and perhaps points towards uncharted territory to be
explored in the future.
The duo’s excellent songcraft and natural harmonies are a
winning combination that casually propels Ferris Wheel with a
confidence refreshingly free of ego. This is perhaps best
exemplified by their cover of Malvina Reynolds’ “No
Hole In My Head”, wherein the duo’s clever command of
acoustic instrumentation and self-assured irreverence creates a
lighthearted new spin on the blues.
