Search - Shivaree :: Breach

Essential

Don't need no stinkin' badge | somewhere in middle America | 10/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An incredible EP from a criminally unappreciated band, at least by Americans. I recently rediscovered the magic of Shivaree after hearing "Goodnight Moon" in "Kill Bill Vol.2", and thinking, "Hey, I think I have this disc". So I pulled out "I Oughtta Give You A Shot..." and have been playing it incessantly. It was quite a pleasant surprise to learn that "Breach" was to be released imminently. And having heard it, I can say that it stands as some of their best work. Two great original songs and three fantastic covers, including a personal favorite, The Waterboys' "Strange Boat", which is beautifully rendered here as a duet with Ed Harcourt. "I Close My Eyes" recalls classic Roxy Music, which seems fitting, considering the amazing cover of Eno's "The Fat Lady of Limbourg". This is a hard band to pin down, as they dabble in pretty much every style imaginable. But Ambrosia Parsley, the lead singer and femme fatale of the group, skillfully leads the band through every twist and turn with remarkable self-assurance. Pure bliss."

Shivaree - Breach EP

Josh Hamon, Games Frontier Staff Wr | Ontario, Canada | 10/31/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The latest offering from Shivaree is definately worth the five bucks. The first two tracks will be appearing on the upcoming album "Who's Got Trouble?", while the last three are studio recordings of song the band has covered during some of their live shows. I'll be rating each of these sections seperately.



The album songs are as perfect as we're used to. Lead singer Ambrosia Parsley sounds as spectacular as ever. "The Fat Lady of Limbourg" is one of the most intelligent songs I've heard in a long while. You may not like it after the first listening, but after a few more plays through it's true greatness begins to sink in. You'll be hearing it replay in your mind for days after listening to it (if it were possible to go days without it). "I Close My Eyes" is a far more single-ready song. It is instantly catchy, and will have you singing or humming along to it's chorus instantly. The vocals sound oddly spooky during certain parts, "I can make you sorry if I want / Find some other house for you to haunt". These songs are definately worth the price of the whole CD.



The covers, on the other hand, aren't quite as good. "Fear Is a Man's Best Friend" is easliy the best of the lot. It is quiet, catchy, and one of the best cover songs I've ever heard. "Strange Boat" sounds bad. The vocals are too far apart, and way too different. I bought this CD to hear Ambrosia Parsley, not Ed Harcourt. His voice should not be louder than hers to the point where it drowns her out. The lyrics are a bit annoying as well. There are some songs that just shouldn't be covered, this is one of them. "657 Bed B" isnt really a cover (Parsley has writing credits), but it deserves to be grouped with them. For one thing, it sounds extremely out of place. A sad, moaning country song does not belong on an Art Rock album. It does get some points though, Ambrosia does sound truly pained on some of her lines, and she obviously feels very strongly on what the song is about.



It probably won't attract any new fans, but previous ones should be pleased."

We'll dip you in the harbour if we must

E. A Solinas | MD USA | 07/28/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The "Breach" EP wouldn't make a bad soundtrack for a noir movie, if Shivaree were to get an offer -- dramatic, dark pop music with a very retro sound, with an electro-jazz flair. The last song doesn't fit in with the first four, but it's still a substantial, rich slice of pop eeriness.



"Well, I rang up Pantucci/Spoke to Lucia/ I gave them all they needed to know," Ambrosia Parsley croons, over a tight little pop melody flecked with electrosquiggles. "I assume you understand that we have options on your time/And will ditch you in the harbour if we must." As for the title character: "You would never believe that/She'd tasted royalty and fame/If you saw her now."



It's followed by the sensual, retro pop of "I Close My Eyes" ("Voulez-vous savoir the love below/Brother, I've got more than you can take"), and the slow-moving, melodic ballad "Fear Is A Man's Best Friend," with the subtle weave of ringing traditional instruments (balaika?) with keyboard and stomping spurts of guitar.



Things start to taper off after that -- "Strange Boat" is a deliciously creepy melody, mellow and gentle. But some parts of it have Ed Harcourt singing over Parsley, and his voice just doesn't compare to hers. The final song is "657 Bed B," a gentle folk ballad -- it's pleasant, but it feels very loose and a bit dull after the tight, smooth melodies before it.



Shivaree are one of those bands that fit more texture into an EP than most bands can into a whole album. As the first few songs slink by, you can almost see sinister dark-suited men, women in colourful gowns and smoky cityscapes. It's the perfect feeling for the Casablancaesque album that follows "Breach."



Most of that comes from the music itself -- slow, jazzy pop, spun out of subtle guitar, jazz drums, ringing riffs and some subtle sax in "I Close My Eyes." And most of the songs are riddled with ghostly keyboard -- squiggle, wobbles and solemn organ. So it's a bit of a letdown when we hit a song which only has acoustic guitar. Where's the keyboard?



And Ambrosia Parsley sounds like a mob chanteuse -- sexy ("I close my eyes/So I/Can dream of ways to keep you occupied"), smooth, and a bit dangerous ("I can make you sorry when I want/Find some other house for you to haunt"). Harcourt's rough voice is a disappointment by comparison -- not as flexible, nor as soulfully pretty.



"Breach" kicks off with a trio of brilliantly dark, deliciously retro pop songs, then tapers off with two that don't fit so well. Still, it's a beautiful, atmospheric little piece."