VANDAVEER - A MINOR SPELL

"A Minor Spell" is an EP released by Vandaveer in 2010.  I've reviewed some of Vandaveer's other albums here and I'm excited to discuss this little disc because it's just as wonderful and gorgeous as their full length albums.

For those of you not in the know, Vandaveer are a quasi-folk/rock band.  I'd say they were alt country but they're so much more.  Nothing they do sounds like one particular genre.  It's more like the bards of ancient days.  Mark Heidinger is the poet bard wandering the streets of America sharing his unique point of view in magnificent songs.  His sound is authentic, soulful and deeply moving.

Somehow, the beautiful entwined voices of Heidinger and Rose Guerin sweep around the room and fill you up with all sorts of unexpected emotions.  These songs conjure such personal memories because even though he sings about specific moments in time he's experienced, the listener is able to relate them to their own life and find relevance.  For instance, 'Everything Is Spinning' is a tune about losing a love and without knowing his story or getting too wrapped up in certain lyrics, anyone who's felt the pain of breaking up with someone can find those feelings rushing back to crush your heart once again.  

Heidinger is more like the folk singers of the past like Woody Guthrie, Leonard Cohen and James Taylor without sounding dated and out of touch.  He's the sparkling new version of a lost art form and he's made it his own.  You won't be disappointed if you take the time to explore the music of this gifted artist and band.  My final words:  ANOTHER ASTONISHING DISC FROM THE COMPLICATED MINDS OF VANDAVEER!  MUST OWN!

VANDAVEER - A MINOR SPELL
01. The Waking Hour (A Minor Spell)
02. Everything Is Spinning
03. Good Morning
04. All Together For The Taking
05. Ways & Means

FADED PAPER FIGURES - NEW MEDIUM

Faded Paper Figures are a band I've reviewed before and over the holidays I purchased their entire back catalog and I've been exploring their earlier material ever since.  "New Medium" is their second album and honestly, this group is nothing if not consistent.

Faded Paper Figures combine everything you loved about 80s alternative and new wave sounds in one band.  From the introspective lyrics to the synths...  It's all incorporated here.  

This trio is comprised of John Williams, Heather Alden and Kael Alden.  Williams is the main vocalist, but sometimes Heather Alden takes over and runs the show.  Williams has a soft voice reminiscent of Neil Tennent from the Pet Shop Boys.  He often sounds like he's whispering secrets in your ear.  His form of confiding vocal delivery is extremely effective and mellow.  Check out 'Rewind' to hear his emotive style.  You also get to hear Heather Alden on this one.  She also has a relaxed and laid back vocal style although in her case, the delivery is more sultry and seductive; despite the subject matter.  Listen to 'Invent It All Again' to get the full impact of her when she's running the show.  It's lovely.

One of the things I like about this band is the fact you can put the disc in and let it go without worry.  I usually play FPF while I'm at work designing.  It has the most incredible balance of relaxing sounds to let your mind focus on your work while at the same time adding inspiration to whatever you're doing.  And the lyrics are sung clearly.  It's easy to pick them up and sing along.  Which I often find myself doing as I go along.

Some of my favorite tracks on this CD are 'Small Talk', 'Invent It All Again', 'Rewind', 'The Cold Wars' and 'Limelight'.  Frankly, the entire album is really great, but those 5 tracks are the ones I picked up first and sing along with when they come on.  I'm learning the others as I go, but these are obviously the ones I feel most connected to.  On the last CD I reviewed, there was a track I wasn't completely into.  But on this one, I'm enjoying the entire disc from start to finish.

I'm quite fond of bands who take a sound and somehow make it uniquely their own.  Faded Paper Figures does this and it's both nostalgic and invigorating to hear new music in the vein of material I loved as a kid.  Even though they have that sound, it somehow doesn't feel dated or old.  Instead, it's fresh, new and exciting.  You can't go wrong picking up this CD.

My final words:  WORTH EVERY PENNY AND AVAILABLE NOW ON BANDCAMP!  GO GET IT!

FADED PAPER FIGURES - NEW MEDIUM
01. Invent It All Again
02. Limelight
03. You Know What I Mean
04. Rewind
05. Small Talk
06. One More Crash
07. The Cold Wars
08. When The Book Ends
09. Kodachrome Earth
10. Changed
11. New Medium