Consequence of Sound » Sons and Daughters http://consequenceofsound.net Think Fast, Listen Slowly Thu, 31 May 2012 18:30:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4-RC1-20950 Album Review: Sons & Daughters – Mirror, Mirror http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/06/album-review-sons-daughters-mirror-mirror/ http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/06/album-review-sons-daughters-mirror-mirror/#comments http://c438342.r42.cf2.rackcdn.com//wp-content/uploads/2011/06/mirrormirror.jpg Fri, 10 Jun 2011 11:57:26 +0000 Justin Gerber http://consequenceofsound.net/?p=127728 There’s a fine line between sounding atmospheric and sounding sterile on record. Unfortunately with Mirror, Mirror, Sons & Daughters’ fourth album, the music tends to lean towards the latter. Vocalist/guitarist Scott Paterson admits the band was approaching the recording from a different angle; a more minimalist direction. The band succeeds outright with their attempts in that regard, but at what cost? Few songs linger in one’s brain before searching for something else on the iPod, and the album doesn’t have the well-worn excuse of: “Well, you have to listen to it front-to-back to truly appreciate it.” Instead, Mirror, Mirror offers up a few songs of note while the rest resides in the dreaded heap of all-filler-no-killer.

Starting the album with the funeral-march-to-nowhere dirge of “Silver Spell” and the repetitive beats and lyrics of “The Model” nearly dooms Mirror, Mirror straight away. Fortunately, the doldrums of those two tracks clear the path to a truly sinister “Breaking Fun”, when Paterson takes a page from the Ian Curtis School of Emotive Singing. The breathy backing vocals from principal vocalist Adele Bethel enhance the dark track, as well as the ominous percussion courtesy of David Gow. The mood continues with “Don’t Look Now”, which deftly transitions well from power-pop into prog-pop (if there ever was such a thing). There is a fantastic final two-and-a-half minutes, consisting of a rhythm section and frightening layers of effects. These are easily the album’s highlights, with the others bearing similar repetition issues that plagued tracks one and two.

Sure, “Rose Red” is pretty good and could fit comfortably into most tracklists for 80′s New Order. “Bee Song” could mesh well with early 90′s Depeche Mode, thanks to Mirror’s mixer Gareth Jones, who had previous work with that very band. Reminders of the past are pleasant, but at the end of the day, you’ll be choosing Power, Corruption & Lies or Songs of Faith and Distortion over Sons & Daughters’ Mirror, Mirror.

]]> Mirror, Mirror, Sons & Daughters’ fourth album, the music tends to lean towards the latter. Vocalist/guitarist Scott Paterson admits the band was approaching the recording from a different angle; a more minimalist direction. The band succeeds outright with their attempts in that regard, but at what cost? Few songs linger in one’s brain before searching for something else on the iPod, and the album doesn’t have the well-worn excuse of: “Well, you have to listen to it front-to-back to truly appreciate it.” Instead, Mirror, Mirror offers up a few songs of note while the rest resides in the dreaded heap of all-filler-no-killer. Starting the album with the funeral-march-to-nowhere dirge of “Silver Spell” and the repetitive beats and lyrics of “The Model” nearly dooms Mirror, Mirror straight away. Fortunately, the doldrums of those two tracks clear the path to a truly sinister “Breaking Fun”, when Paterson takes a page from the Ian Curtis School of Emotive Singing. The breathy backing vocals from principal vocalist Adele Bethel enhance the dark track, as well as the ominous percussion courtesy of David Gow. The mood continues with “Don’t Look Now”, which deftly transitions well from power-pop into prog-pop (if there ever was such a thing). There is a fantastic final two-and-a-half minutes, consisting of a rhythm section and frightening layers of effects. These are easily the album's highlights, with the others bearing similar repetition issues that plagued tracks one and two. Sure, “Rose Red” is pretty good and could fit comfortably into most tracklists for 80's New Order. “Bee Song” could mesh well with early 90's Depeche Mode, thanks to Mirror’s mixer Gareth Jones, who had previous work with that very band. Reminders of the past are pleasant, but at the end of the day, you’ll be choosing Power, Corruption & Lies or Songs of Faith and Distortion over Sons & Daughters’ Mirror, Mirror.]]> 40 http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/06/album-review-sons-daughters-mirror-mirror/feed/ 0 Sons and Daughters return with Mirror Mirror http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/03/sons-and-daughters-return-with-mirror-mirror/ http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/03/sons-and-daughters-return-with-mirror-mirror/#comments http://c438342.r42.cf2.rackcdn.com//wp-content/uploads/2011/03/123461184.jpg Tue, 29 Mar 2011 19:00:14 +0000 Chris Coplan http://consequenceofsound.net/?p=111168

In our review for their 2008 album, This Gift, we commended Glaswegian band Sons and Daughters for their dedication to tinkering with a sound that had already proven a success. Despite a few years of inactivity, the band has returned to that same behavior with their forthcoming effort, Mirror Mirror, which is set to hit stores June 14th (via Domino Records).

To get to the heart of the new record, turn no further than to the album track “Silver Spell”. Featuring an increased vocal role for guitarist Scott Paterson, the song reinstates the band’s boy-girl dynamic that waned a bit on the foursome’s last effort. That return has led the band to create what singer Scott Patterson is calling their most balanced record. It also sums up the band’s aim with the record as “…something quite haunting and feminine” and “with an air of malevolence”, at least according to vocalist Adele Bethel.

The remainder of the album promises to be just as sparse. “We sound better when we’re more minimal. We wanted everything on the new album to be necessary, no added fluff, and only recording on 16-track,” Patterson said in a release.

Check out the track and tracklist below.

“Silver Spell”

Mirror Mirror Tracklist:
01. Silver Spell
02. The Model
03. Breaking Fun
04. Orion
05. Don’t Look Now
06. Ink Free
07. Rose Red
08. Axed Actor
09. Bee Song
10. The Beach

]]> This Gift, we commended Glaswegian band Sons and Daughters for their dedication to tinkering with a sound that had already proven a success. Despite a few years of inactivity, the band has returned to that same behavior with their forthcoming effort, Mirror Mirror, which is set to hit stores June 14th (via Domino Records). To get to the heart of the new record, turn no further than to the album track "Silver Spell". Featuring an increased vocal role for guitarist Scott Paterson, the song reinstates the band's boy-girl dynamic that waned a bit on the foursome's last effort. That return has led the band to create what singer Scott Patterson is calling their most balanced record. It also sums up the band's aim with the record as "...something quite haunting and feminine" and "with an air of malevolence", at least according to vocalist Adele Bethel. The remainder of the album promises to be just as sparse. "We sound better when we’re more minimal. We wanted everything on the new album to be necessary, no added fluff, and only recording on 16-track," Patterson said in a release. Check out the track and tracklist below. "Silver Spell" Mirror Mirror Tracklist: 01. Silver Spell 02. The Model 03. Breaking Fun 04. Orion 05. Don't Look Now 06. Ink Free 07. Rose Red 08. Axed Actor 09. Bee Song 10. The Beach]]> http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/03/sons-and-daughters-return-with-mirror-mirror/feed/ 0 SXSW Video Recap: The first 36 hours http://consequenceofsound.net/2008/03/sxsw-video-recap-the-first-36-hours/ http://consequenceofsound.net/2008/03/sxsw-video-recap-the-first-36-hours/#comments Fri, 14 Mar 2008 02:07:04 +0000 Alex Young http://consequenceofsound.net/2008/03/sxsw-video-recap-the-first-36-hours/ Besides our written coverage of this year’s South by Southwest, we figured a video recap of each day’s festivities might be appropriate as well. So without further ado, here is the recap for day one + 12 hours (we started a little late) of SXSW 2008…

R.E.M. performed “Second Guessing” at Schubb’s

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=s762khTI3g8&rel=1]

Lightspeed Champion was at Urban Outfitters

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=PiaZIF85pWw&rel=1]

The BBC interviewed MGMT

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=SxuvNcKwbCk&rel=1]

DeVotchka performed “Queen of the Surface Streets” on the Current Stage

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=mc5t5FlgRzM&rel=1]

Sons and Daughters performed “The Nest” on the Current Stage

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=0d4w2pf_QKQ&rel=1]

Billy Bob Thorton spoke….

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=O56z7GP76sA&rel=1]

Saul Williams was at a convention center

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=9Unvy8204Iw&rel=1]

The Black Keys were at Emo’s

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=V_Rvwb2XIjA&rel=1]

Keep checking back for more. Pitchfork has tons a bunch of recaps from Wednesday. SXSW.com also has their own coverage.

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]]> R.E.M. performed "Second Guessing" at Schubb's [youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=s762khTI3g8&rel=1] Lightspeed Champion was at Urban Outfitters [youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=PiaZIF85pWw&rel=1] The BBC interviewed MGMT [youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=SxuvNcKwbCk&rel=1] DeVotchka performed "Queen of the Surface Streets" on the Current Stage [youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=mc5t5FlgRzM&rel=1] Sons and Daughters performed "The Nest" on the Current Stage [youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=0d4w2pf_QKQ&rel=1] Billy Bob Thorton spoke.... [youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=O56z7GP76sA&rel=1] Saul Williams was at a convention center [youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=9Unvy8204Iw&rel=1] The Black Keys were at Emo's [youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=V_Rvwb2XIjA&rel=1] Keep checking back for more. Pitchfork has tons a bunch of recaps from Wednesday. SXSW.com also has their own coverage. :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ]]> http://consequenceofsound.net/2008/03/sxsw-video-recap-the-first-36-hours/feed/ 0