SONG OF THE DAY
“Strange Love (Don’t Be Lazy)” by Brent Randall & His Pinecones (We Were Strangers in Paddington Green, 2008).
INTERESTING FACTS (a la google)
- From Halifax, Novia Scotia [the #2 destination on my “To Visit” list, behind my European honeymoon]
- From the blog Obscure Sound: “While their sound certainly shows that Randall and co. certainly have an appreciation for the ‘60s and ‘70s, their new album, We Were Strangers in Paddington Green, showcases a very eclectic sound that remains highly accessible and infectious despite the good amount of variation that Randall includes. There were 24 different musicians that were involved in the creation process, with most of them touting a different instrument…We Were Strangers in Paddington Green is a beautifully constructed attempt at chamber-pop in its mixture of tempos, alternating structural tendencies, andvarying instrumental tones. These aspects create a sense of diversity while simultaneously maintaining a style that is cohesive throughout the album’s entire duration.” ” “Strange Love (Don’t Be Lazy)†…boasts a fancifully convincing chorus that triumphs with ardent excellence before taking over a verse that is elegant by any stretch of the imagination. Even after the first listen, I found myself completely captivated by the Randall’s ability to write a pop song. Apart from its beautiful arrangements and high level of accessibility, Randall informs the listener that his vocals are flawless when in appliance to this type of music. His natural voice is uncharacteristically deep for the specified genre of chamber-pop, but his ability to alternate pitches comes in handy during the outstanding chorus… After a series of breezy verses that would likely sound even better against the visual backdrop of the Caribbean, a variety of slide guitars and twinkling keys subside to clear way for the vocals of Randall and others. “Don’t be lazy, sing a song for me,†he repeats, sounding surprisingly effective and ardently empowering over the most instrumentally barren point of the song. It is the vocals and its accompanying melody which carries him though, and the violin solo that follows it provides an excellent form of melodic emphasis.” [What a great new blog I’ve discovered! I’ve added them to the blogroll, and I have Bret Randall & His Pinecones to thank for that little gem of a discovery! This blog takes the time to write all the things I mean to say!]