Maurice Hope – May 17, 2016 at 05:18PM
Tags:_AMERICANA
Brooklyn, New York-based, singer-songwriter Rebecca Pronsky brings a great deal of depth to the musical table, and a good deal of artistry too as Americana folk country etched in hints of rock and pop spreads forth.
Known Objects had originally been seen as a duo record from Pronsky and long-time producer and guitarist Rich Bennett, however Bennett and Pronsky who had taken time off the road to open their own recording studio (Acme Hall Studious) in Brooklyn, NY couldn’t resist inviting a few of his long-time friends who dropped by to work on their own records to be on the new record. Hence the original idea was shelved.
Pronsky’s fluid vocals get beneath the surface, as a display of experimentation is tempered with songs more centre-field with inviting themes ensure there is still plenty of scope for Pronsky and Bennett’s to engage in a series of multi-textured arrangements without losing the listener.
The record opens with two powerhouse songs, band type tunes in “Bag Of Bones” and wondrous affair “Nothing Yet”; both are terrific songs, and with Pronsky in top form, vocally and the instrumentation likewise top-class. The former is steeped in rhythmic mandolin, jangling guitar as it is forever propelled forward. Forceful and relentless it sets a high standard that’s equalled by the emotion filled “Nothing Yet” and with effective piano guide her Pronsky relives the best of 1970s singer-songwriter craft with “Did You Know” as Laura Nyro and Joni Mitchell among others come to mind).
On stripping things down, walking the acoustic path Pronsky is aided by piano, acoustic guitar, upright bass and harmony vocals a beautiful sound wafts from the speakers, and this wonderful feel doesn’t stop there as a mellow calmness intermingles with innovative sounds on “Shadows”. Ever looking to prise boundaries, even of their own music without over doing this “Snowing Sideways” with its neat acoustic guitar and relaxed accompaniment both shows off her wonderful voice and the players too.
Among my personal favourites you have jangling guitar aided “Gondwanaland”. It is a wonderful classic sounding piece as hints of Iris DeMent’s “Wasteland” filter through. It could be the best song on the record! “A. E” is a song about famed pilot Amelia Earhart and though one of her greatest influences Joni Mitchell recorded a song about her Pronsky felt bound (and rightly so) to follow her heart and share her own song. Beautiful and spare it brings home the story of the brave pioneer who’s body was never found.
Pronsky closes the record with “No Matter”, a gentle, plaintive shuffle rich in more calming influences it has the singer speak of being protected no matter what (and arguably more hints of DeMent). It speaks of how she is stuck here with herself, and is unable to out run the truth and in some ways explains the fact we are all the subject of constant change like it or not.
Maurice Hope
—
Feed: http://ift.tt/1J7TdNm
Inoreader Page: http://ift.tt/1Tmlm69
Blog post: http://ift.tt/1TmfkUn