| Apartment has all the eerie charm of an
Edward Gorey book. Classically twisted, perky and dark, the juxtaposition of so many
opposing qualities draw you into these songs even when they most disturb you. With an
unconventional mix of instruments, this self-described "chamber punk" quintet
could have fallen from a David Lynch soundtrack. Moaning tubas, synthesized marimbas and
warm cello notes play with jazzy percussion and pop-rock guitars. The beauty of this album
is that despite all its polarized elements it feels completely cohesive and at peace with
its extremes.
Vocalist Caila Lipovsky is one part beat poet and one part
Kate Bush protege. She can read her lyrics like a fairy tail or wail with complete
anguish, often fluttering between these two extremes with great agility. Her lyrics are
spunky and funny and often political. Her biting wit is best illustrated by her retort to
"your momma" jokes in the closing track "Momma" where she demands to
know how her imagined antagonist got to know her mother well enough to judge her. When she
combines her talents with Christine Heinisch on background vocals the duo chirp and croon
through harmonizations with the rhythmic precision of an opera chorus.
The recording quality on this EP is very good. Engineer Mike O'Connell managed to
maintain both the warmth of the classical instruments and the power of the synthesizer and
drums. Even at the edges of the album’s dynamic extremes the synthesized instruments
still blend with the tuba and cello. As Apartment rolls through each song on the CD I can
almost picture the impish stage antics that I think would have to accompany such lively
and imaginative music.
More
ChicagoGigs.com Reviews
Chicago Music Discussion Board
|
Apartment
