Strings are back and it's been way too long. Jeff Lynne brought ELO back to audiences, the likes of The Mono LP's and The 286 have brought Indie to it's senses and Floating Opera have released their best ever album.
Floating Opera are a collective from Lincoln Nebraska, they've been around in one form or another since the early 90's. This is album number five and their first for over seven years. It's been well worth the wait.
The songs are written by Charles Lieurance and Richard Rebarber and are beautifully arranged. The influences are far spread, one minute you are reminded of Kirsty MacColl on Bubbles To Make You Stay, the next, an arrangement sounds like Alan Parsons Project or something that Louis Clark is involved in.
The four different female lead vocalists could be compared to the likes Of Pandora's Box, but the songs are not as bombastic. It's those arrangements that shine through, particularly for violin and cello.
The Car Died Of Shame is almost Folk with an arrangement that could be from an Early ELO album. Calling Card could be Burt Bacharach. It's this variance that impresses me most. One minute Annie Haslam, one minute Aimee Mann.
Pop Song On The Elevator Down is a great listen across all 11 songs. The bar has been set high bt Floating Opera's previous output, this is their best yet.
You can listen to and buy the album here. You can find out more about the band here.
Brilliant! Thanks for the hot tip, Don.
ReplyDeleteAce Rob!
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