- Audio CD (7 Dec 2009)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Manimal Vinyl Records
- ASIN: B002LIZWTI
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 84,378 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Product details |
Product Description
Review
Offering only six tracks, this introduction to Los Angeles quartet Warpaint is unlikely to initially represent value for money to many, given it retails at a price comparable to many full-length albums these days. But such is the impression left by one listen to Exquisite Corpse that it’s perfectly pitched: it’s an enticing taste, one that absolutely leaves the listener craving more. A bargain at twice the price.
The band’s sound will appeal effortlessly to anyone swept up in the understated splendour of The xx’s silence-celebrating compositions – just like the young Londoners, Warpaint respect the balance between stirring (yet soothing) sounds and their surrounding stillness. Contrast is everything, and they perform these songs while exhibiting the sort of restraint-embracing sensibilities that will set them in good stead for an album proper in 2010. It’s a magical brew, familiar yet wonderfully fresh to ears repeatedly beaten by noisy newcomers mistaking media attention for ability.
Opener Stars is all spectral, frail vocals and a guitar that echoes through the dark like a voice from an otherworldly dimension – its sound is somehow detached from the present, as if the preserved indentation of something more solid. It’s gorgeous and simply constructed, its percussive pulse barely registering beneath lapping washes of beauteous melody. Elephants is brasher, but even at their most boisterous Warpaint respect control, underpinning bassline repetition keeping their aim straight and true.
The real show-stopper is Billie Holiday, where the band take the central lyrical hook from Mary Wells’ Motown hit My Guy and thread it through an arrangement that borrows its haunting qualities from such similarly arresting efforts as Telepathe’s Can’t Stand It and Cat Power’s The Greatest. The influential singer of its title would no doubt approve of such an impossibly tender, deeply affecting song bearing her name. It’s one of those calling-card tracks that can make or break a band – like Chairlift’s Bruises, or José Gonzáles’ cover of The Knife’s Heartbeats. Only the (near) future, though, will tell if it leads to greater things for its makers.
Hopefully it will, as this listener for one is now primed for a full album of this wonderful fare. Fingers crossed, but at the same time if Warpaint were hurried to a debut long-player it could adversely affect their splendid slightness. Here’s hoping they’re willing to play a patient game, just as The xx were. Both are terribly delicate, but equally mightily talented. --Mike Diver
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If you are into rock music and looking for a band with that alternative edge, this debut EP from the American all-girl alternative rock band Warpaint may be perfect for you. After listening to their latest release 'The Fool' I bought this and was just as blown away. With the soulful vocal harmonies, funky rhythm section, uniquely collaborative songwriting and a guitar sound Robert Smith would envy, Warpaint have separated themselves out from other rock bands and made a great initial effort.
Note that this physical EP also has a bonus track, 'Krimson'.
Note that this physical EP also has a bonus track, 'Krimson'.
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
this cd took me two listens to get into, but once i did, warpaint became my favourite band. Beetles is an amzing song and my favourite. Burgundy is recorded live, and i think you loose out on some of the harminies that are more equally balanced in the rough trade recordings, but the song is still great.
the best thing about warpaint is the way their songs do not follow the generic song structure, but often change suddenly. however this does not make the songs dissjointed, it makes them intricate and fascinating.
the style of the music is nothing new, but the songs are excellent. the harmonies are haunting and it all feels overwhelmingly genuine.
"Warpaint" their full length cd is also brilliant. i would recomend purchasing both, listen to them a few times and i promise you will love them.
the best thing about warpaint is the way their songs do not follow the generic song structure, but often change suddenly. however this does not make the songs dissjointed, it makes them intricate and fascinating.
the style of the music is nothing new, but the songs are excellent. the harmonies are haunting and it all feels overwhelmingly genuine.
"Warpaint" their full length cd is also brilliant. i would recomend purchasing both, listen to them a few times and i promise you will love them.
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Music to warm the cockles of your heart. This album gets better and better over time. Too many releases receive 5 stars. Don't know if the bands friends write some of these reviews but rest assured this is not the case here. This is their best release by far and everyone i play it to falls in love with it. Reminds me a little of Sonic Youth Evol - no bad thing. Only wish it was longer - FABULOUS.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Indie touch
As a new indie band that i hadnt heard of before I was quite impressed by the fool album so decided to give this a go. Read more
Published 10 months ago by B. J. Morris
Warpain - love them
This is a marmite band I become aware of at Glastonbury. Loved them. I can see not everyone will like the moody tunes and the 'we're interesting and different' kind of approach... Read more
Published 10 months ago by A. J. Ward
Exquisite indeed...
These girls just seem too good to be true. Their own identities, beauty abound, mesmerising singing voices, hypnotic melodies and cool beats - more of the same please!!
Published 18 months ago by Tinkysmith
A beautiful debut
With complex, yet accessible, melodies and beautiful harmonies, Warpaint have produced a stunning debut. I can't wait for their first full album in October. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mike
Disguised But Unto Themselves (7/10)
Le cadavre exquis (exquisite corpse) is a parlour game where players draw or write on folded paper without knowledge of what had previously been added or what was to come. Read more
Published on 24 Dec 2009 by Gannon
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
