bodiesofwaterThe four voices of Bodies of Water blend together to make a rich, heady sound. Guitars, keyboards and brass add further depth to an already flavoursome noise. Occasionally the tendency towards grandiosity on this album verges on parody. The opening of 'Under the Pine' brought to mind Spinal Tap's timeless classic 'Stonehenge', while the end strove for the kind of gothicized gospel perfected by the Bad Seeds. Unfortunately Bodies of Water lack Nick Cave's hairy cohorts' sense of restraint as well as the group's lithe, muscular musicianship. When things head in a rock direction the result lacks the raw energy necessary for that type of music to truly satisfy. 'Water Here' is a highlight, a Robert Wyatt-like trumpet introduction leads into some spirited singing and dexterous guitar. At one point the track threatens to slip into a faux-folk oblivion, but is saved at the last minute by some funky guitar chords and some more trumpet. Bodies of Water have a magnificent album in them, "A Certain Feeling" isn't it, but if they steer their music towards rawer, looser territory they may just blow our minds next time around.
:: Bodies of Water/A Certain Feeling - Secretly Canadian/Cargo Records.
