Deep guitar chords begin The Sea's gorgeous opening track "Are You Here," a stately and effectively simple opening track, one of several on which the singer explores the emotional impact of her husband's death. Twice the song builds to sonic levels unheard from the generally quiet Corinne Bailey Rae. It's immediately striking that this isn't the sunny soul pop of her debut, although it's not all gloomy either, which is refreshing too, since no one would have begrudged her a full on weepy.
The next track, which also deals with her huband, seems to do so with both a tear and a smile, looking back before his death and to the ups and downs they experienced, but proclaiming anyway that she'd "Do It All Again." "Feels Like the First Time" is a little more uptempo and funky, with rhythmic drumming and warm strings, but also has an edge, delivered by the slightly dissonant piano tinkles. The also upbeat "The Blackest Lily" is a nice blend of rock and soul elements, even a little Kanye West-like vocal processing. "Closer" is a slinky and laid back adult soul/pop kind of song with a jazzy horns section coming in during the second half.
If the last few songs seem kind of breezy, the album's darkest song, "Love's on It's Way," follows to tamp that spirit down. It's a lover's lament on par with the kind of soulful melancholy Sade are so good at (re)producing. The lyrics of "I Would Like to Call It Beauty" most clearly address her husband's death ("so young for death; we walk in shoes too big, but you play it like a poet like you always did"). Musically I find the song quite soothing with a takes-it-time pacing that gives each vocal, guitar and brass note its proper space.
More upbeat songs then follow; first the particularly upbeat and lovely "Paris Nights/New York Mornings," then the edgier, retro "Paper Dolls." "Diving for Hearts" sounds like it will be a gentle song, but then big guitars increase the sound volume on the harder chorus. It's another good song, on an album that really has no missteps. The title track closes the album with a mix of sadness and beauty.
I never listened to Corinne Bailey Rae's debut. I enjoyed a few of her singles, but viewed her as lightweight. With The Sea, she's definitely changed that perception. Although it's tragic that it took such a terrible event to pull her emotions out, she should be lauded for her willingness to go there musically.
Best: I'd Do It All Again, Are You Here, The Blackest Lily, Closer, Feels Like the First Time, I Would Like to Call It Beauty, Paris Nights/New York Mornings
2 comments:
Her debut is a must-hear...one of my favorite albums from 2006. That just does not seem possible!
That I haven't heard it or that it's 4 years old now? I'll check it out.
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