Emotionally Charged
In a year where singer songwriters seem to be lurking around every corner, ready to jump out and smack you with their melancholically addled dose of self pity, it is getting to be a chore to become excited when another album of acoustically driven tracks raises its head. That is until now. Step forward not one but two singer songwriters who finally offer something slightly different. Sure, they may still stick to the singer songwriter's guidelines but they at least attempt to grab your attention in a new style. Joining forces, Yorkshire pals Paul Marshall and Jennifer Chubb have crafted a split album, showcasing both of their talents in one fail swoop and insuring that even the singer songwriter haters have to at least sit and pay attention.
Opening the first half of the album, Paul Marshall's 'Oh, Napoleon!' presents a brisk acoustic guitar that interplays with Marshall's soaring vocals as he instantly takes charge of the track, offering slow paced vocals that stand in contrast to the music before quickening towards the end. Marshall in many ways adheres to this formula, allowing his vocals to solely guide the tracks, which at times work brilliantly but now and then there is a sense that the song needs a little something else to really grab your attention. As if to oblige Marshall's final offering, 'Denial' injects some sneaky hand claps into the mixture, adding some oomph to the track and letting Marshall's vocal skills truly shin.
Working under the name of Tascam Tapes, Jennifer Chubb's contribution does slightly overshadow Marshall's. Emotionally charged vocals convey an almost uplifting sense to the tracks whilst at the same time being heart wrenchingly sad. With a simple repetitive piano melody, 'Tribute' teasingly plays with your emotions as Tascam Tapes' bittersweet vocals express so much passion and character, causing everything else about the track to pale in significance. Although 'Under Control' is slightly more upbeat, there is still a hint of sadness that escapes from each of Tascam Tapes' lyrics as her highly emotionally led vocals take control of each song, adding a degree of happiness and sorrow wrapped around her mysteriously mesmerising voice.
Paul Marshall and Tascam Tapes both brandish passionately personal vocals that gracefully combine with the simplicity of acoustic led melodies, adding openness to their work that is beautifully inviting. Although they may not offer anything new musically to the other heap of singer songwriters plying their trade at present, by innovatingly bombarding the listener with a split album they have at least given a new sheen to the now oversubscribed genre.