CocoRosie

i bought la maison de mon reve (which i think translates to "the house of my dreams", but since it has been some years since i last took french and i did not verify this, please don't take my word on that) by cocorosie a few weeks ago. i don't know that much about this band, since i no longer make it a point to research as much background information on bands/artists the way that i once did. apparently, they fall into the new "folk movement" that includes people like devendra banhart, joanna newsom, and antony and the johnsons. as i really adore both devendra and joanna (but have never listened to antony, since his picture on billions scares me quite a bit), i figured that it would perhaps be worth my time to check this band out.

and, i'm glad that i did.

while i do not think that this will ever be one of my favorite albums, it is different and enjoyable. upon first listen, i was taken aback. i believe that it is two sisters (and perhaps this is a lesson i can utilize on my next proper review: research the artist!) with strange voices singing slow folky songs over random electronic beats and noises. it was weird and i was unsure what to make of it.

however, upon further listens, i found that there was something almost charming in the oddity of composition, and i've since realized that i liked it. i like the odd songs. they're entrancing and memorable, which is not often the case with music these days (oh the decline of a genre, if bright eyes is your shining star....). they stand out without trying so obviously hard to stand out that the uniqueness overwhelms the actual music. [aside: if there is one thing that i cannot stand, it is forced uniqueness; let your individuality speak for itself, as one does not need to try to make oneself an individual. this, however, would perhaps be better suited to a different sort of blog which i have not yet created and will probably not create.] in addition, the music is relaxing, without being complete fare for falling asleep.

plus, anyone who sings about wanting to be a housewife is pretty cool in my books.

the opening song, "terrible angels", was, to me, reminiscent of the opener on sparklehorse's Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot, with its use of animalesque noises and slow guitars on the intro. that said, it has been about three years since i last listened to that sparklehorse album, so i might be completely offbase, there. we move slowly into songs about housewifery and jesus and butterscotch and end up with a song that is, in a way, about yugoslavia.

in all, la maison de mon reve is quite good and i would recommend it. especially if you are a fan of either devendra banhart or joanna newsom. while i would not put CocoRosie into the same league with those two, i would say that i can understand how if you're a fan of one, you might like......

that said, i guess maybe it is time to get past the scary billions picture and give antony and the johnsons a chance.

[cocorosie, la maison de mon reve, touch and go 2004]


edit: i have since listened to as much antony and the johnsons as i think i can possibly bear. i think i hate him.