Sing-Sing - The Joy of Sing-Sing

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Free Music Notes for The Joy of Sing-Sing

Free Music Review: Experience the Joy
Hit: 5 Stars

In any case, I had been wondering what the surviving members of Lush were up to since they amicably disbanded following drummer Chris Acland's tragic suicide (which led me to wonder about Split's darkly hypnotic "Undertow" ever since). Then lo and behold, I saw a poster for an upcoming concert by Sing-Sing, featuring Emma Anderson of Lush. Would Sing-Sing fall prey to the dreaded disease? Soon after popping The Joy of Sing-Sing in the disk drive, any such notion disappeared into a cloud of heavenly dream-pop bliss.

Expertly produced by Mark Van Hoen, this album features consistently first-rate songwriting by Emma and singer Lisa O'Neill. The music is ultra-melodic, atmospheric, bright, and multi-faceted: with a swirling mix of musical influences, leaning toward dream-pop, with elements of electronica, 60s pop and lounge music, 80s synth-pop, psychedelia, and even a bit of progressive rock in the mix. Some might find the girlish vocals a bit too cute, but I think they complement the music just fine. Each song has a very distinct sound, and there's not a throwaway among the lot.

One standout track, the driving & catchy "Tegan" - which, according to what I've read, means "beautiful little thing" in Cornish - is quite beautiful, with a driving rhythm that really moves it along. It would be a perfect radio-friendly pop song, except for the ripsaw backwards guitar solo that would fit right in one of Lush's edgier pieces.

Interesting twists and turns abound, e.g., the accordion-synth break in the beautifully dreamy "I'll Be" that evokes a French café ambience; and the well-crafted backwards (?) choral vocal interlude in "Me and my Friend." Such pop artistry brings to mind Elvis Costello's similarly brilliant worst-seller, Imperial Bedroom, albeit with less lyrical emphasis and a sunnier disposition. Not to say the lyrics are weak, by any stretch: they're intelligent and well crafted in an understated way; but the heavenly melodies are what make this album truly stand out.

This album lives up to its name and then some. If you seek dream-pop bliss, experience The Joy of Sing-Sing.

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