Artist: David's Lyre
Title: In Arms
Label: Hideout
Genre: Indie
Bitrate: 172kbit av.
Time: 00:15:08
Size: 19.88 mb
Rip Date: 2011-03-29
Str Date: 2011-05-05
01. This I Know 3:56
02. In Arms 3:16
03. These Trees 4:39
04. Constellation 3:17
Release Notes:
A solo talent flitting between Patrick Wolf and Villagers, DavidÆs Lyre
û aka solo artist Paul Dixon û clearly has plenty of potential to
become a pop force that falls between instant appeal and indie-er
tastes. This five-track taster certainly leaves appetites far from
whetted, and should set their maker in good stead for a fine 2011
indeed.
The sales pitch talks of glitches and bleeps underpinning traditional
songwriting, but itÆs unlikely that Dixon is ever going to be
categorised alongside, say, James Blake. This is a far fuller approach,
electronic aspects sounding like late-addition embellishments and often
rather superfluous when a track is properly assessed. Constellation,
for example, is a lovely, simple number û a piano, a voice, little else
û that doesnÆt really need its circuit-board chirrups when they arrive.
While past remix form, on tracks by Marina & The Diamonds and Chapel
Club, might imply an approach vector from the dance world, In Arms
paints a different picture. This is pure pop first, albeit of an
endearingly understated variety, and everything else comes next.
The title-trackÆs opening horns lends the piece a bucolic edge, the end
product something like Tunng fronted by Tim Booth û itÆs the James
singer who Dixon instantly attracts a parallel to (to these ears,
anyway) û or Tom Vek if heÆd ever got around to following up his great
debut of 2005 and decided to lean on the alterna-folk stylings of Laura
Marling and Johnny Flynn for a little influence. ItÆs a pretty little
number, rather underdeveloped for a lead single proper û an album
charge will need to be fronted by something a little more forceful û
but charming nonetheless.
These Trees is a little close to the studied melancholy of Keane or
Athlete for some tastes, though its rougher form and somewhat tarnished
tone û a plus in this instance û do make it rather more appealing than
those artistsÆ exercises in self-pity. This I Know, similarly, sings of
mistakes and missteps rather than anything positive; but Dixon is well
aware of the need to keep proceedings punchy, and here synthesised
beats do suit the track. It all adds up to a package showcasing an
artist of much promise. Should Dixon find a little more of his own
voice in his next work, so the numerous comparisons fall by the
wayside, he could be onto something special.