Flush St Louis (flushstl.com)
I've been in a less-than-stellar mood lately. Oh it's mostly the
usual stuff - relationship problems, not enough money, the horrible
state of the world, etc. But when I feel like this, I can't STAND
hearing happy or shallow music. The only thing that works for me is
music with some depth, music where I feel the artist would understand
the kinds of emotions I'm feeling. From the moment I first heard it,
Arco's RESTRAINT did more than just "work for me." In fact, it moved
me profoundly. It's a potent piece of art on every level, especially
emotionally. And I was startled to find that this London band is
virtually unknown in the U.S., a situation that adds weight to my
theory that much of the best popular music in the world right now is
being made in Europe, in the commercial shadows. Where do I begin to
discuss this amazing record? It's sort of like you're lost in a
thick, dark fog, feeling alone and panicky, without your bearings,
and suddenly a stranger emerges from the vaporous mass. He hangs out
with you for a while, says a couple of profound things, points you in
the right direction, then moves on, leaving you with the impact of
the visit and a bit of a lighter load. That's certainly how I felt
listening to the achingly intimate voice of singer/songwriter Chris
Healey, the mastermind of this band. Over the course of eleven
stirring compositions, Healey is right in your ear-with a voice
startlingly fragile and upfront. You can hear every word he sings,
and the depth of feeling in his gentle voice, which seldom rises
above a Nick Drake-Archer Prewitt sort of delivery (with moments not
dissimilar to Thom Yorke in ballad mode), is remarkable. Where has
this guy been, and why aren't the trendy music rags extolling his
talent as they do so many others?
Well, it turns out this is Arco's second full-length release (they've
also put out a few EPs in the U.K.). The other members of the band
besides Chris Healey include his twin brother Nick on drums and
bassist/guitarist Jeff Milligan. The discipline these guys show in
the service of a mood is more than admirable. On "Dunwich," there's
just a lonesome electric guitar and Healey's vulnerable vocal to hold
your attention. And boy, does it do so. There's a part near the end
where Healey's voice jumps to a higher octave, and it's mesmerizing.
My personal favorite song, though, is "Last Bus." With the guitar
distorted to a mesmerizing Cocteau Twins-like shimmer and Healey's
voice barely above a sad whisper (which is mixed so upfront, though,
that it sounds like he's telling you a really important secret), the
musical landscape created by this song is utterly haunting. "Last bus
sails away/And night calls an end to another day/No more you can
do/To fight the things you need/To get you through," sings Healey.
"We're all the same/As the last bus sails away." I had shivers down
my spine that lasted for an eternity during this song. It's an
absolute stunner, one of the most intimate four minutes I've
experiened with a record this year. The rhythmic strumming and
percussion on "Meant" (which features a startlingly unexpected
trumpet solo) and the sweetly melodic ballad "Perfect World" are
probably easier entry points for the uninitiated. The latter tune is
just exquisitely pretty and emotionally open. "Sorry I didn't like
your point of view/Didn't mean to upset you or hurt you/Find it hard
to tell those sweet little lies/Always finding fault when I could
compromise/I just want a perfect world. " The lyrics are strong and
touching enough on their own, but when Healey's tender voice is the
vehicle expressing them, the effect is utterly compelling. Honestly,
some of this stuff comes across like Healey has reinvented the
singer/songwriter aesthetic to his own specifications, and it makes
certain unnamed "greats" from the past pale in comparison. Normally,
I'm not that interested in HOW an artist records their work; I just
want to have a satisfying response to it. But with Arco's ability to
conjure an atmosphere so evocatively and to capture
pristine vocals on disc in such a captivating manner, I'd love to get
the technical dossier for some of the songs here and take it to a lot
of other rock bands trying to get all emotional on us these days.
"Here, do it like THIS," I'd tell 'em. But most probably, not many
others can do it like Arco. "Happy New Year" is one of the prettiest,
most haunting ballads I've ever heard; "Second Skin" and "Silent
Wonder" (a state I was in throughout listening to this disc) are
almost as good, and benefit immensely from Nick Healey's tasteful
drumming. I suppose the only caveat I would issue regarding this disc
is that the songs are pretty much all of a piece, meaning that
they're melancholy and mostly slow. If you're not in that frame of
mind, i.e. if you're lookin' to party down or something, this ain't
your record. On the other hand, if you're feeling lonely, detached,
philosophical or burdened by existential angst as I've been for weeks
now, Arco's your band. This music won't CURE what ails you, but it'll
make you feel like you're human, at least. Because that's Healey's
greatest gift here; he has shared the depths of his human soul with
us, through music that is so achingly real and captured with such
purity, that it serves powerful notice that you're NOT alone. You're
part of this thing called the human race, and there are others who
understand your struggle. RESTRAINT is a real treasure, the kind of
record that will occupy a very special place in your record
collection once you experience its powerful moods. For me, this band
is a minor miracle. They came along right when I needed them, and
provided a soundtrack for some real soul searching. Thank you, Arco.
I think that fog is beginning to lift... (Kevin Renick)
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