Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions

Bavarian Fruit Bread
Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions
Rough Trade Records
http://www.roughtraderecords.com

This is the first full-length solo release from the former Mazzy Star vocalist (she released the EP At The Doorway Again last year) and while the presence of Mazzy guitarist and composer David Roeback is missed, fans of their spacey, ethereal sound will most likely find Bavarian Fruit Bread pleasing. Sandoval has always sounded as if she was awoken from a deep nap to sing, rubbing sleep out of her eyes and trying to light a cigarette while lush chords swelled around her. No different here, although the music on most of the cuts sounds rather one-dimensional, existing only as the sparest backing for Sandoval’s wonderful voice. On the cuts “Butterfly Mornings” and “Charlotte” Bert Jansch (Pentangle) provides guitar, and provides a fullness and complexity to the songs that the rest of the record lacks. This is not to say the record is poor- Sandoval’s voice is enough to warrant repeated listening, particularly when it’s late at night and most of the wine is gone- but after a bit, you begin to miss the sonic foolery of David Roeback. Sandoval is joined by former My Bloody Valentine drummer and lyricist Colm O’Ciosoig, but since there doesn’t seem to be any apparent drums on the record, you might wonder what his contribution was, but no matter. Hit play, lay back on large pillows, and float.

Originally published Amplifier, 2001

Curve

Gift
Curve
Hip-O

This is great stuff. The combination of the noises of Dean Garcia and the sultry vocals of Toni Halliday (plus some notable friends) makes a strong case for the nomination of Curve as “most valuable player” in the techno/electronic rock field. Gift, the groups sixth record, is a mixture of raging guitar and beats, with the Hope Sandoval-ish vocals of Halliday icing the cake. The only problem with the disc is that no matter how good an guitar/electronic-based band with a female singer is, they are going to sound like Shirley Manson and Garbage. Now Curve is leagues better than Manson and crew, but it’s still difficult to not hear echoes of their sound in these songs. The opener, ” Hell Above Water”, sidesteps this by sounding much like Head Like a Hole-era Nine Inch Nails, or perhaps a looser Damage Manual.

Now, the big news, and the factor that raises this record into the “hot damn” category is the presence of Kevin Shields, the mastermind of the legendary My Bloody Valentine, playing guitar on two tracks. “Want More Need Less” sounds almost like an outtake from the classic MBV album Loveless, and higher praise can’t really be awarded than that. For a player whose stock in trade sound is best defined as “aggressive murk”, Shields certainly is a distinctive, raging voice. “Perish”, which was already a great song, is exploded with his guitar, making you wish the silly sod would find a studio and a label and RELEASE SOMETHING! But if guest spots on friends’ records (particularly when they are as enjoyable as Gift) is how we get to hear him, then so be it.

Originally published Ink 19, 2001