11th July 2010 11:43:00
Eliza Doolittle
Eliza Sophie Caird, better known as Eliza Doolittle, has been working the scene for a while, her brilliantly fun 'Skinny Genes' was a minor hit and built up a decent head of steam for the album's release - so obviously timed to really benefit from the heat of summer. It's an album that wouldn't work quite as well at any other time of the year; so frothy and 'nice', it wouldn't suit the grey of autumn or the cold of winter but coupled with a glass of Pimms and the smell of a barbeque, this is the sort of sound that you'd want in the background.
The album starts with an energy that would be hard to maintain with 'Moneybox', but while there is tail off in the latter half it's well managed with a liberal sprinkling of the odd gem such as current single 'Pack Up'. There are also countless musical influences from the fifties onwards and while the obvious initial comparisons to the likes of Kate Nash or Lily Allen are true to a point, they only take you through the first track and from then on in Ms Doolittle crafts a wonderfully eclectic mix of styles and genres - the aforementioned 'Pack Up' being the perfect example as not only does it inject a sudden excitement to the album, it also melds a modern 'Landaan' sound with George Henry Powell's marching song ‘Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag’ to startling but very pleasing effect. Just as you feel you have got a handle on things, she throws a curve ball forcing you to re-evaluate everything you've heard so far. Seemingly simple melodies give way to complex layers of vocals and while almost everything has a strong marching beat every single track is lifted to summery highs by the singer's wide and powerful voice.
With Lily Allen threatening her retirement from music, we needn't worry. Eliza Doolittle is more than capable of filling Ms Allen's boots with none of the oh-so-controversial stylings. It's refreshing to have something that has that timelessly enjoyable bounce without the feeling of rage that is so obviously bubbling under the surface. It doesn't have so much a bite, more like a playful nibble - need music always have some important message?
The album starts with an energy that would be hard to maintain with 'Moneybox', but while there is tail off in the latter half it's well managed with a liberal sprinkling of the odd gem such as current single 'Pack Up'. There are also countless musical influences from the fifties onwards and while the obvious initial comparisons to the likes of Kate Nash or Lily Allen are true to a point, they only take you through the first track and from then on in Ms Doolittle crafts a wonderfully eclectic mix of styles and genres - the aforementioned 'Pack Up' being the perfect example as not only does it inject a sudden excitement to the album, it also melds a modern 'Landaan' sound with George Henry Powell's marching song ‘Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag’ to startling but very pleasing effect. Just as you feel you have got a handle on things, she throws a curve ball forcing you to re-evaluate everything you've heard so far. Seemingly simple melodies give way to complex layers of vocals and while almost everything has a strong marching beat every single track is lifted to summery highs by the singer's wide and powerful voice.
With Lily Allen threatening her retirement from music, we needn't worry. Eliza Doolittle is more than capable of filling Ms Allen's boots with none of the oh-so-controversial stylings. It's refreshing to have something that has that timelessly enjoyable bounce without the feeling of rage that is so obviously bubbling under the surface. It doesn't have so much a bite, more like a playful nibble - need music always have some important message?
Track List
1. Moneybox
2. Rollerblades
3. Go Home
4. Skinny Genes
5. Mr Medicine
6. Missing
7. Back To Front
2. Rollerblades
3. Go Home
4. Skinny Genes
5. Mr Medicine
6. Missing
7. Back To Front
8. A Smokey Room
9. So High
10. Nobody
11. Pack Up
12. Police Car
13. Empty Hand
9. So High
10. Nobody
11. Pack Up
12. Police Car
13. Empty Hand
-- more --
About Colin Polonowski
As the publisher of The Digital Fix, I manage the day-to-day direction of all areas of the site, from the content sections right through the forums. I am also the technical lead which means I ensure everything works as expected and any software changes are coded by my own hands! I occasionally contribute to all areas, but in general leave the specific area management to the people who know what they're doing. I am the main contact point for anyone who wants to discuss advertising, licensing, syndication and anything else at a business-level.
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