Categories : Music Reviews, Rock + Pop.
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Rating: 4/5 Released: August 28, 2007 Reviewer: David Coats |
Turn on any music video channel, and you’re likely to see the video for Feist’s single, ’1234.’ The song was written by Australian Sally Seltmann, whose sophomore record, Somewhere, Anywhere, recorded under her New Buffalo moniker, is a powerful statement from yet another emerging indie female singer/songwriter.
The similarities to Feist don’t stop with the single and Arts & Crafts label affiliation; though Seltmann sings with more range and Feist with more power, the comparability of their voices is obvious. Seltmann’s voice is vibrant, unassuming, and instantly inviting; it gives the record a delicacy and genuine beauty, enhanced by her ability as a producer to know what techniques will bring her songs to life. Her production is deft, featuring surprisingly moving orchestration for what, on the surface, are simple piano ballads. The musical accompaniment is minimalist-yet-dramatic, and interestingly, each song has an extremely intriguing introduction and an equally powerful conclusion. Each song is deceptively rich, and while Seltmann’s songs won’t make for great radio singles, you’ll genuinely lose yourself in them.
This is a distinctly feminine record, which lends it a certain depth and charm. Seltmann appears to lack some of Feist’s confidence – The Reminder was more overtly vulnerable than Somewhere, Anywhere – but Seltmann possesses an obvious emotional depth; she moves from the sombre and pessimistic to the playful and optimistic effortlessly, and above all else, manages to achieve intimacy while retaining her mystery. She also expertly writes music and lyrics that reflect each other, such as in ‘Versary,’ or the refreshing ‘Cheer Me Up Thank You.’ ‘Lobe Limbique’ is simple and profound, while the second verse of ‘Misery and Mountains’ is heart-wrenchingly beautiful.
Though it might be tempting to overlook New Buffalo as just another Feist, don’t – Seltmann is her own artist, and this record will win you over more and more with each song, with each listen.
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