2011-05-15
“Nightingale” is the debut full-length from UK band, Erland and The Carnival. Vocalist Erland Cooper, drummer David Nock (The Orb and David Gilmour) and guitarist Simon Tong (The Verve) make electro-pop that sometimes rocks (“So Tired in the Morning”) , but often is a bit quiet (“East & West” and the entire second half). Many of the songs sport a calliope or carnival-like beginning (“Map of An Englishman”, “Emmeline”) that leads to a dark place. Perhaps the dark feeling emanates from the ship in which this was recorded. The band found a ship that was built in 1918 and after years of service (in various capacities) the ship was moored on the River Thames. “Nightingale” was recorded deep in the bowels of the ship, lending the recording a little bit of creepiness. Partly mixed at Damon Albarn’s Studio 13, among other places, this self-produced album is a fine bit of music. Rebecca RuthThe opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.