Sparkling and Multi-Layered Brilliance
M. Allen Greenbaum | California | 04/18/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Annie Celsi returns fun to the pop/rock scene with these delicious retro pop/rock tunes. (with touches of roots/country, gospel, and even R and B). Yes, she knows how to write snappy, instrumental and lyrical hooks, but this music is so much deeper than that description implies. The band takes a large swath from the last 50 years of music, and weaves it into a unique, immensely enjoyable sound.
A large part of my happy addiction relates to her mastery of when to let the instruments lay back and when to let them loose. The instrumentation is incredible, a masterful blend of guitars (pedal steel guitar, 12-string, slide), and strings (Amy Ferris on viola, violin, and cello) keyboards, percussion, and backing vocals that blow you away. Yet, for all the firepower at her command, Celsi keeps her message and her sound direct and uncluttered.
The title track is worth the price of the CD alone, a song that zips along 60's pop routes but with fresh sonic detours, including a daring but effective use of the sitar. The band is tight and talented. Just a few highlights include Nelson Bragg and Probyn Gregory's guitars on "Own Sweet Time," Bragg's instrumental tour de force (including a classic jangly-guitar opening) on the rocking, hit-ready "Piece of Heaven, the driving guitars on "Thanksgiving in Hollywood" (Robbie Rist, Steve Refling, Nelson Bragg), and the Van Morrison strains of "Now You Can Hurt Me."
Celsi's singing is strong, versatile, and compelling. She can either hit you straight on or seduce you with velvety/smoky inflections. Somehow, her sound recalls the best of the British pop/rock singers, which is quite a feat when you don't have an accent. Must be things like her slightly tongue-in-cheek trip on "Sally Go Round the Roses" (with perfect organ and vocal backing).
In short, Anny Celsi and her band have given us one of the most enjoyable CDs of the year, dense with ideas, textures, rhythms, and styles. For all the eclectic sounds and influences (add roots/country, R and B, and gospel to the list) the diverse styles cohere: The songs evince an uncanny grasp of pop/rock history, updated and enhanced with style and fun."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1