Jane Weaver's recorded music is so otherwordly, it seems to exist in its own perfectly formed universe. Seeing her perform live at Band On The Wall on Friday night, a packed out venue with some difficult sight lines and a band of four blokes dressed in black, makes her music a bit more earthbound and of this place. This is not a criticism at all. The songs still take flight and Jane's vocals soar over the motorik drumming and shades of Hawkwind guitars. Single Slow Motion is a perfect slice of electropop, and the Silver Globe songs get the full 60s folk plus 70s sci-fi via loopy psychedelia treatment. There's a real warmth to the tunes and the playing, the songs coloured by dappled sunshine and shadows, with a sense of wonder in them, but for every drone or keyboard squelch there's also killer verses and choruses, psych with songwriting. This gig is a brave move in some ways- the album Modern Kosmology was released on the day of the show so most of the people in the audience, me included, are hearing many of the songs for the first time. I'd like to see her play them again in a month or two when I've got to know them. As a result of having lived with this one since early April, when I woke up the following morning, this was the tune going round my slightly fuzzy head.
What a lovely evocative description.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore Slow Motion, having originally heard it here when you first posted it. Makes me feel all dreamy and wistful. Going to treat myself to the album!
Sounds great.
ReplyDeleteI was listening to the Doremi Fasol Latido and Greasy Truckers Party at the weekend strangely enough.
I also love Slow Motion, so infectious. The album is growing on me. Not every tune is quite so immediate, but there's more than enough in her sound to make me keep coming back to it.
ReplyDeleteLovely writing again Swiss. My friend Geoff not Craig, always goes on about how Jane Weaver rips off Stereolab, I've tried to educate him about her background and the fact people can have the same influences, but he just won't budge. Friends eh!
ReplyDeleteHearing another band I really like in this song... Cosines. Terrific post, Adam. Adding this album to the list.
ReplyDeleteI don't see her (or hear her) ripping off Stereolab. They have similar influences as you say but they sound quite different to me.
ReplyDeleteI don't know Cosines Brian but will check them out.
Great review Adam. The album is beautifully understated and growing on me at a rate of knots, much like her previous records. I'm looking forward to catching her live show later in the year.
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