Search - Sinclair :: Stories of this Land

You know you like it . . . yes you do

penguinevere | Los Angeles, CA | 05/12/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Sinclair's music is surprising and beautiful without missing a good opportunity to rock their .... off. They have enough technical prowess on their instruments that it's a pleasure when they just jam for a while; when the complex and interesting arrangements reach orchestral heights, it's stunning to realize there's only four people in this funky folk rock quartet. Guitar, violin, bass, and drums combine here with musical generosity and flair. The lyrics address the normal hopes and heartaches, but with a quirky eye for the half-remembered detail. The two brothers in the band, Jacob and Joshua Morris, alternate or share the vocals, and their voices blend and harmonize with an artistry not often demonstrated by lead singers of rock bands these days. It's smart for them to have two singers in this group, anyway, as they can achieve a different tone with each song. Jacob's voice has the rougher quality of a night spent thinkin' and drinkin', a bit reminiscent of Rufus Wainwright, while Joshua has a hauntingly pure tenor that takes on a snappy edge when a faster song demands it. As a person who has to sing in the car, and who is easily bored by repetitive chords and obvious phrasing, I attest to the fact that Sinclair can be put on repeat on a cross country drive and gets better with each round."