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MH-260 Her Space Holiday - XOXO, Panda And The New Kid Revival  Putting some space between himself and the computer that has provided the basis for so much of his recent work, Marc Bianchi has taken the last two years to focus on what got him into music in the first place, writing connective songs and working out the layers of sound he hears in his head. The results are a new persona, XOXO, Panda, and the reinforcement of the feelings of personal and artistic freedom that drive his music. Loose and carefree arrangements of guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, shakers, glockenspiel, and drums lay the foundation for vocal storytelling sing-a-longs. XOXO, Panda And The New Kid Revival is a brilliant calling card for Her Space Holiday’s newly awakened alter-ego, and a watershed moment in his growth as a songwriter and performer. |
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| Reviews Summary |
| Guitar pop songs that are as charming as they are simple - Rolling Stone / That he can switch up styles so frequently and make solid records says something special about Bianchi - Pop Matters / Melodies have that wonderful undefinable quality that makes you want to hear them over and over... Killer indie pop cuts - Babysue |
| Clue To Kalo's third album, Lily Perdida, sounds like a miniature village complete with model train being destroyed by a tornado. And while there's something chaotic and playful and whimsical whirling around, nothing of consequence really happens. The production is lush and schizophrenic, but that's nothing new. There's plenty of parts and instrument switcheroo, but that's not new either. Really, the only new sounds on offer here are the vocals added by newcomer Ellen Carey, which you'll notice from the very start. Mark Mitchell's demonstrated plenty of times that his mastery of a wistful bedroom pop voice can fit between the snaking melody lines, but Ellen's childlike whine seems to compete with the band for attention. On its own, and without the complexity normally associated with the band, it is fine – "What Went Down Around, By The Eavesdropper" stands out as a remarkably simple song, and the vocals float by easily. However, "Lull For Dear Life, By The Parents" and "The Infinite Orphan, By The Familiars" are more representative of the album's style: both have outstanding parts (the choir vocal parts, and the jittery organ introduction) but no sense of proportion – they are over as quickly as they began. Clue To Kalo jumps between lead vocalists and melodies, and the whole thing comes of as incoherent instead of eclectic. Ultimately, on Lily Perdida there's very little meat on the songwriting bones, and it frequently turns out there's no bones either. Maybe that's the concept of this loose concept album. Depending on your interpretation, the truth could be anything, and maybe there's nothing there at all. While this makes for an interesting premise, it's a punishing chaotic listen. When their previous releases have rewarded you for throwing hours into them, this seems like a cheat. Its Dorothy meeting the Wizard and finding out there's not even a man behind the curtain. - Bake Sale |
