Search - Weeping Tile :: Valentino

Master songcraft, diverse and timeless.

D. Mok | Los Angeles, CA | 01/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Valentino is the missing link between the rough, rocking energy of early Weeping Tile and the pensive, country-folk troubadour that is lead singer Sarah Harmer today.



Early Weeping Tile didn't betray much of Harmer's country-music roots -- which she would fully expose on the downright classic country of her next record, Songs for Clem. On the band's first record Cold Snap, Harmer's angular, sometimes punkish singing didn't exactly suggest any country influences. Valentino, however, begins to explore that aspect of her musicianship. Lead track "South of Me" immediately negotiates her musical dichotomy, with an instantly recognizable guitar hook and driving beats, but once the vocals kick in, you can hear traces of modern Harmer -- her singing is more soulful, fuller, with her now-trademark twang and vibrato emerging. She can still rock out beautifully, as on the grooving guitar-pop perfection of "Through Yr Radio", but "Judy G." and "Old Perfume" are downright classicist in their old-time, guitar-and-voice country approach, "Goin' Out" is a Gram Parsons-style song if there ever was one, and even the poppy "Every Good Story" has rockabilly and country tinges.



As if reminding herself not to stray too far into the softer side of her music, Harmer throws in a hidden track at the end of the record, a bizarre, hilarious hardcore punk (!) song with an indecipherable lead vocal (it sounds like it's singing "Big guitars and broken nose"!). Originally I'd thought it was solely the work of Weeping Tile guitarist Luther Wright; according to a 1997 article, it's written and sung by bassist Sticky. But as a signing-off for Valentino, it's perfect -- because as Sarah Harmer moves on with her musical career, she would increasingly distance herself from the rock side of her musical persona and focus on her country-folk influences. Personally, I still miss that rock and roll spark which had made Valentino and Cold Snap such exhilarating listens nearly 10 years after their release; the rock edge had complemented and augmented Harmer's music very well. Hopefully Harmer will re-incorporate this influence in her future music, but for the time being, the Weeping Tile records are still testament that when Harmer rocks, she rocks with the best of them."

Worth The Wait (And Yes, It Really is a Six-Star Recording!)

Jeffrey Showell | Portland, OR | 08/16/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Confident, in your face, stripped down and loud (and soft) Weeping Tile's "Valentino" is an electric folk-punk-rock-singer-songwriter tour-de-force. Warner Canada, which couldn't figure out how to market WT and dropped them after "Valentino", has re-issued it on the strength of sales of bandleader Sarah Harmer's brilliant solo debut, last year's "You Were Here." And I am so happy they did. Recorded in the "live in the studio" fashion Harmer has come to favor, the band, (actually, Weeping Tile Mk III,) is able to let its hair down and straight-out rock to Harmer's songs. OK, it's not all hard-rockin' since Harmer's got a lot more range as a songwriter than to just churn out head-bangers, although she does produce a few here, including the urgent, swirling "Unshaven," and the straight-ahead I'm-havin'-a-blast-doing-this "I'm Late." Luther Wright's guitar, unburdened from the sonic density of WT's earlier "Cold Snap", is consistently up front in the mix and provides glorious, raw power. His solo on "Judy G." is really stunning. Harmer is as comfortable wailing along with Wright as she is strumming her own guitar and confiding to the mike on the emotionally devestating "Old Perfume". Sonically, the recording is amazingly coherent-the band covers a broad range of material without ever stepping out of character or spoiling the mood. Harmer's songwriting is as strong as ever, with all of the tracks mentioned above being among my favorites. When confronted with such a towering recording as "Valentino' it's hard to figure out why Weeping Tile wasn't huge in its day. Except that it's hard to find the right-shaped marketing box to put them in. But this recording's brilliance can't be denied, and, four years later, "Valentino" shines again. Very highly recommended."

If I could give it 6 stars, I would...

rubyclaire | Manitoba | 08/07/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Valentino, Weeping Tile's third (and possibly final?) available recording is a must-have for any fan of the band or of Sarah Harmer's solo work. While much of it is 'rockier' than Sarah's recent CD "You Were Here", the talent is all there -- the vocals, the guitars, and of course, they lyrics, are all what you'd expect from these talented kids.The disc is fairly balanced between fast and slow numbers, and the transitions seem very easy for the band. Between songs, we get to hear Sarah giggling at the beginning of "Every Good Story" and a false start before "Old Perfume". These things give the record a comfortable, intimate feel. I was very impressed that they decided to leave them in.'Valentino' is a very fun yet powerful record. Though there are plenty of sing-along songs ("Chicken"; "Every Good Story"), there are still a few that might just make ya weepy ("Goin' Out"; "Judy G").Weeping Tile have always been good at making heartbreaking, inspiring music, and this disc is no exception. It is full of beautiful little songs that will be stuck in your head and heart all day."